Transporting Stella for short distances

[RaspberrySam]

I'm planning on taking Stella out to see relations at some point soon and was wondering if I'm missing anything vital she might want in her carrier.

It's a small critter carrier that looks like this, and measures roughly 28x19x18cm, with opaque sides to ensure that she isn't overly stressed by being able to see outside.


I was planning to basically add a decent 2-inch layer of her coco coir substrate, as well as a piece of slate and a heaping helping of leafy food. She won't be in the carrier long- a few hours at most- and will be kept in a warm environment near-constantly.

Will this be OK for Stella or is there something else I'm missing? Thanks for your input!

 

[Tom]

Best to leave her at home. She will not enjoy these outings and it will be very stressful.

If you insist on taking her along, best to do it in a dark plastic container with a lid. Much like a falcon in a hood, removing the visual stimulation will keep the tortoises calmer during transit.

 

[RaspberrySam]

Best to leave her at home. She will not enjoy these outings and it will be very stressful.

If you insist on taking her along, best to do it in a dark plastic container with a lid. Much like a falcon in a hood, removing the visual stimulation will keep the tortoises calmer during transit.

Understood. I don't intend to take Stella out any more than necessary- this is the first time since I got her, in fact- but I thought I should ask so I'm ready for essential trips, such as vet visits and the like.

 

[zolasmum]

I think the little carrier would be fine for putting her in once you get wherever you are going,for showing her to your relatives, etc, but she would probably be better off on the actual journey in a plastic box with lots of absorbent material -newspaper, paper towels or cloth - tortoises are inclined to react to car rides by pooping and peeing. Having said that, Zola loves going out in the car, wrapped in a towel on my lap - in fact, we take him out every day .I think he enjoyed it right from the start, but I know this is unusual.
Angie

 

[RaspberrySam]

I think the little carrier would be fine for putting her in once you get wherever you are going,for showing her to your relatives, etc, but she would probably be better off on the actual journey in a plastic box with lots of absorbent material -newspaper, paper towels or cloth - tortoises are inclined to react to car rides by pooping and peeing. Having said that, Zola loves going out in the car, wrapped in a towel on my lap - in fact, we take him out every day .I think he enjoyed it right from the start, but I know this is unusual.
Angie

That's good to know! I'll see what I have that would work.

 

[Maggie3fan]

I'm fairly experienced at traveling with tortoises...a dark box barely big enuf for the tort...they will mostly sleep that way and I wouldn't want my hermanni carried in an open thing that way...isn't temperatue an issue? I know how much fun I have had taking my torts around...but only 1 ever really liked it...you're probably better off leaving him in his familier housing...think it over carefully...

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I agree with others, during the actual trip in a car etc. you want to have Stella in a dark and cozy environment to avoid extra stress. I have personally used a small cooler as an insulated box to keep the temperatures stable for my tortoise.