Weird behaviour

[Tortieporty]

So I’ve just made a new enclosure for my Tortoise, topsoil, plenty of decorations/hides, heat at 32 degrees C, UVB strip, water dish, since moving in I’ve noticed she spends a lot of time under the heat lamp and will dig into the corner of the enclosure and sleep there

Problem is the ambient temperature in my room is nice and warm already without the lamp so I don’t understand why she wants to spend all her time under there, she doesn’t use the hides and isn’t eating as much as usual, is it just moving day stress?

Thanks

 

[wellington]

Basking should be 95-100F
What species do you have?

 

[Sarah2020]

Tortoise hate change. Check heat temps, food and water and let it relax and feel safe. Top soil not recommended as it gets trampled on food, injested and causes compaction in their tummy. Ideally you want coir rehydrated in water or orchid bark. I get mine from swell reptiles. Please share species and pics.

 

[Tortieporty]

Basking should be 95-100F
What species do you have?

She’s a Horsefield, advised temp was 32 or around there so that’s where I’ve set it at

 

[Tortieporty]

Tortoise hate change. Check heat temps, food and water and let it relax and feel safe. Top soil not recommended as it gets trampled on food, injested and causes compaction in their tummy. Ideally you want coir rehydrated in water or orchid bark. I get mine from swell reptiles. Please share species and pics.

Thanks for that, yes she doesn’t seem to be enjoying the move too much although she seemed to enjoy exploring at first, her food is fed either on a slate or in an accessible tray so it’s not in the dirt, water is clean and available, food is wild weeds and some store bought and pellets, temp is on a thermostat at 32 degrees c, held about 20-25cm above surface level

 

[wellington]

The all over temp should range from 75 to 80F, basking 95 to 100F and no heat at night as long as it doesn't go below 60F.
If they can't bask under the proper temps, they can't properly digest their food and this will cause the tort to get sick.

 

[Tortieporty]

The all over temp should range from 75 to 80F, basking 95 to 100F and no heat at night as long as it doesn't go below 60F.
If they can't bask under the proper temps, they can't properly digest their food and this will cause the tort to get sick.

Yes sorry the basking spot is 32, ambient temp is around what you stated there, there’s a cooler side but she seems to enjoy it around the basking spot, what’s concerning me is why she’s under there so much even though the room in general is warm and why she’s sleeping in the corner every night

 

[wellington]

Yes sorry the basking spot is 32, ambient temp is around what you stated there, there’s a cooler side but she seems to enjoy it around the basking spot, what’s concerning me is why she’s under there so much even though the room in general is warm and why she’s sleeping in the corner every night

Basking temp is wrong. It needs to be higher. 32C is what you originally stated. 95-100F is around 38c

 

[Tortieporty]

Basking temp is wrong. It needs to be higher. 32C is what you originally stated. 95-100F is around 38c

Basking temp is wrong. It needs to be higher. 32C is what you originally stated. 95-100F is around 38c

Basking temp is wrong. It needs to be higher. 32C is what you originally stated. 95-100F is around 38

Basking temp is wrong. It needs to be higher. 32C is what you originally stated. 95-100F is around 38c

Okay I’ve bumped it up to 35-36, 38 felt very hot so I’m hoping 36 will be alright, hopefully encourage some more movement as her heat needs should be met

 

[wellington]

38 is not too hot! Its 100F. I wouldn't tell you a temp that's too hot! Read the caresheet.
If the tort is constantly sleeping under it, it's because it's not warm enough for it not to!

 

[wellington]

35-36 is fine though too. That's 95 96F. Do not go lower. There is a reason it has to be the temp I have said.