Transition?

[Moozillion]

Ok. I know I'm probably over-thinking this, but here goes.

In November I got my 3 year old Hermann's. It has taken her these 2 months to get settled in: she no longer hides all the time, she doesn't run off if she sees me watching her and she will sometimes eat from my hand. I really don't want to lose what we've gained so far.

I have started plans for her outdoor enclosure, and as soon as the nights stay in the 60s, I'll start putting her out. My concern is that after she arrived in her strange new home (her habitat in our house) it took her 2 months to adjust. Once I put her outside in a new, much bigger enclosure, it'll be another totally strange environment. Is she likely to regress and hide all the time again? Am I going to have to start all over getting her used to her new enclosure? Would it help her adjust more quickly if I put her out in the mornings and bring her in at night so she can be back in familiar surroundings and feel more secure?

 

[Yvonne G]

That's usually how my transitioning goes. Because it is usually still pretty cold at night, but the daytime temps are great for being outside, I put them out in the morning and bring them in at night.

I call this the ins and outs of Spring...and then again, the ins and outs of fall.

 

[Melly-n-shorty]

mine hid a bit the first week they were outside, but coming in at night to the familiar home seemed to help them come out of the their shells (figuratively and literally lol) I have never take care of a Hermann's though so I am not sure how much help I am...

 

[Kapidolo Farms]

It might not seem like it, but the response you are concerned for is a good thing. That indicates the tortoise is behaving like it wants to avoid predators, and live another day.

The opposite, when a tortoise is unconcerned with large shadows and things (to a tortoise) that go bump in the night, or day, indicates an animal not alert or healthy.

Tortoise tend to 'map' more strongly than aquatics. So, after a few seasons they will act like it is just that, a seasonal change within their map.

Will

 

[Moozillion]

Thanks for all the feedback! I'll get started on her outdoor enclosure and will anticipate escorting Madame to and fro until the daily climate is fully to her liking!