sleeping to soon ??

3lli3 xx · 25-12-2008, 06:30 PM

hi, i've noticed Jasper has been wanting to sleep at early times, he has been burrowing and falling asleep around 5:00 pm is this normal???
he is young, and keeps active in the day but is it right for me to turn off his lights and heat at this time ?

Paulg1 · 25-12-2008, 07:28 PM

I would keep the lights on for 10-12 hrs a day regardless if he goes to sleep earlier. Most torts will sleep at different times during the day and I'm finding the younger the more sleep they will get. I think keeping the light on gives them options if they want to get up again and the uv is needed for that long during the day.

Ozric Jonathan · 25-12-2008, 10:49 PM

At 6 months it's quite normal for Jasper to be sleeping a lot and also doing a lot of hiding. The younger ones need to hide from danger because the shell is still hardening and being small they could easily get attacked in the wild, they behave the same in captivity.

Jasper needs a place to hide where he feels safe and secure, he'll come out at times and explore, but don't be surprised if he spends a lot of time out of sight and resting.

sandy · 26-12-2008, 08:45 AM

All my hatchlings are asleep by four oclock. They are affected by the drop in light levels at that time. During the Summer when the days are longer (lightwise) they are up a lot longer.
I personally once they have gone to sleep turn all the heat/light lamps off. Not much point in wasting electricity.

Paulg1 · 26-12-2008, 03:56 PM

Good point Sandy. If they aren't getting up I guess it is just a waste of electricity.

Wicked666 · 31-12-2008, 07:44 AM

I amend the timer settings on my light according to the month. So currently, the lights go on at around 9.30am and off at 5pm to mimic outside. As it's on a timer, the torts are aware of it and usually start burrowing around half an hour before the lights go off (maybe they've learnt to read the time!)

In the summer it's on from about 8am to 7pm but I gradually get to this length of time.

Tortoise Kid · 03-01-2009, 10:59 AM

My Tortoise Sleep In Periods Throughout The Day
And This Is Normal

25-12-2008, 06:30 PM	#1
3lli3 xx Member Egg Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: London, Essex Posts: 68	sleeping to soon ?? hi, i've noticed Jasper has been wanting to sleep at early times, he has been burrowing and falling asleep around 5:00 pm is this normal??? he is young, and keeps active in the day but is it right for me to turn off his lights and heat at this time ?

25-12-2008, 07:28 PM	#2
Paulg1 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 2,116	I would keep the lights on for 10-12 hrs a day regardless if he goes to sleep earlier. Most torts will sleep at different times during the day and I'm finding the younger the more sleep they will get. I think keeping the light on gives them options if they want to get up again and the uv is needed for that long during the day. __________________ 0.1.0 G. sulcata/Larry 0.1.0 G. pardalis babcocki/Leo 1.0.0 G. pardalis pardalis/Tino "Stop the world, I want to get off!"

25-12-2008, 10:49 PM	#3
Ozric Jonathan Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: West of Scotland Posts: 4,226	At 6 months it's quite normal for Jasper to be sleeping a lot and also doing a lot of hiding. The younger ones need to hide from danger because the shell is still hardening and being small they could easily get attacked in the wild, they behave the same in captivity. Jasper needs a place to hide where he feels safe and secure, he'll come out at times and explore, but don't be surprised if he spends a lot of time out of sight and resting. __________________ Testudo Hermanni Hermanni (Corse) tortoises

26-12-2008, 08:45 AM	#4
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	All my hatchlings are asleep by four oclock. They are affected by the drop in light levels at that time. During the Summer when the days are longer (lightwise) they are up a lot longer. I personally once they have gone to sleep turn all the heat/light lamps off. Not much point in wasting electricity. __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

26-12-2008, 03:56 PM	#5
Paulg1 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 2,116	Good point Sandy. If they aren't getting up I guess it is just a waste of electricity. __________________ 0.1.0 G. sulcata/Larry 0.1.0 G. pardalis babcocki/Leo 1.0.0 G. pardalis pardalis/Tino "Stop the world, I want to get off!"

31-12-2008, 07:44 AM	#6
Wicked666 Member Egg Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sheffield Posts: 62	I amend the timer settings on my light according to the month. So currently, the lights go on at around 9.30am and off at 5pm to mimic outside. As it's on a timer, the torts are aware of it and usually start burrowing around half an hour before the lights go off (maybe they've learnt to read the time!) In the summer it's on from about 8am to 7pm but I gradually get to this length of time.

03-01-2009, 10:59 AM	#7
Tortoise Kid Member Incubating Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 175	My Tortoise Sleep In Periods Throughout The Day And This Is Normal

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