Why does my hatching hate it outside?

Karabear95

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I take my 4 month old sulcata outside to get some uvb and fresh air and all he does is hide. He has a small makeshift cinder block outdoor enclosure with chicken wire on top, a shaded area and some water. He stays out probably an hour. I checked the temps with my temp gun and they appear normal. This is probably his 5th time outside and all he does is run in the corner and/or hide in his shell. :( has anyone else experienced this and is it normal ?
 

Maro2Bear

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That’s pretty normal behavior. They are programmed to hide & stay out of view from big bad predators. In the wild, they spend an awful lot of time in their underground burrows & later in life hiding. Your tort will soon learn that it‘s safe in his little outdoor area & get more active & explore.

Good luck
 

Karabear95

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any tortoises need time to adjust to a new environment, doesn't mean they don't like it haha.
Lol yeah I know that’s true but gosh I thought he’d be a little more used to it by now 😅 when he first came home to me he took no time at all adjusting, it’s just something about outside that is taking him a little longer to acclimate to I guess
 

Karabear95

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That’s pretty normal behavior. They are programmed to hide & stay out of view from big bad predators. In the wild, they spend an awful lot of time in their underground burrows & later in life hiding. Your tort will soon learn that it‘s safe in his little outdoor area & get more active & explore.

Good luck
Thank you this makes me feel a lot better. ❤️
 

Sarah2020

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Try providing shelter and greenery with large leaves. He will enjoy the outside but scared of predators so provide mix of shelter and open space and I am sure he will adjust. 4 month us still tiny so ensure water dish and food dish are accessible with pebbles round the edge.
 

jeff kushner

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It's easy to forget that a Turtle/Tortoise's view of the world is very different than our own.

For them every single move they make is honestly, a matter of life & death when they live in the wild.

Hiding from the unknown is a pretty basic survival solution and as suggested, most of us try to provide "hides" for our survival-minded friends.


I'm teasing of course but from his point of view;
He sees a 300% increase of sunlight, is being flown in the air, feels wind and temp changes along with new surroundings....he's freaking....LOL, really?...wonder why.....

Cool little guy though, isn't he?
 

TammyJ

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I take my 4 month old sulcata outside to get some uvb and fresh air and all he does is hide. He has a small makeshift cinder block outdoor enclosure with chicken wire on top, a shaded area and some water. He stays out probably an hour. I checked the temps with my temp gun and they appear normal. This is probably his 5th time outside and all he does is run in the corner and/or hide in his shell. :( has anyone else experienced this and is it normal ?
Can we see a picture of him in the outdoor enclosure?
 

ANGELA BRZECZKOWSKI

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"Normal " temps on the ground are a lot colder than air temps and wind is hard to get used to. I won't take mine out unless there's no wind and it's super warm and nice out. If its "nice" I'll stand outside for a few minutes holding him but that's it. yes Charlie the tortoise is "spoiled " 😊
 

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