Reflection causing stress?

ethelandedna · 01-03-2011, 05:05 PM

Just when I thought I could get through a day with having to ask a question...

Pebble (the Hermann) is in a guinea pig cage enclosure. He seems quite happy but keeps going to the corner of his basking spot and trying to climb the plastic walls. With the light cast by the bulb you can clearly see his reflection in the plastic. Just wondered if he could see it too and think it was another tort. Will this be causing him stress? It doesn't seem quite right to watch him climbing the walls.

He's been living in a viv with 2 other torts in the pet shop but the cage he's now in is a lot bigger.

n47pow · 01-03-2011, 06:09 PM

It won't be his reflection, as it is a new home, new things to look at explore, he will simply just be getting used to his lovely new home.

Mine were the same when I got them always climbing the walls.

Its nothing to worry about at all

Hope this helps

**16 shells** · 01-03-2011, 06:10 PM

Climbing wall's is a common one mainly with young one's in tables, sometimes it is to try and get out escape, or too hot this can be checked with the thermometer, they can stand vertical and tip over sometimes, this has to be watched. When mine were younger and in tables, if i noticed them constant trying to climb the wall's, i would turn the heat lamp off for about 20 mins and they used to calm down.

n47pow · 01-03-2011, 06:10 PM

However keep an eye on him when you can, incase he over climbs and falls on his back. (Just a good excuse to watch your new baby)

ethelandedna · 01-03-2011, 09:10 PM

It did seem to have settled a bit later on so hopefully it's just getting to know his 'new pad'.

The 'falling on his back' comments have freaked me slightly as it's particularly in his basking spot that he does it, (although at the cool end too sometimes). Can they right themselves if they tip over on a flat surface? I would hate to come home from work and find...

bongo10 · 01-03-2011, 10:07 PM

I have noticed this too. My hermann has been trying to climb the corner nearest to the heat lamp, and only that corner. I thought it was strange but didnt think much of it.

ethelandedna · 01-03-2011, 10:32 PM

ha ha Captain Paranoia has well and truly settled on my shoulder. Keep watching - I'll think of problems. I have a very fertile imagination

**Bindi** · 02-03-2011, 09:58 AM

Is there any way you can move the lamp away from the corner? Torts can somethimes right themselves, but not always. You don't want him falling into his back under the heat lamp...

ethelandedna · 02-03-2011, 11:37 AM

Not easily as we've cut the wire of the cage to fasten it in place. He does seem to be doing it less so will keep an eye on it.

n47pow · 02-03-2011, 07:12 PM

how about use some of his substrate to build a mound in the corner, he probabily will love this as he will have something to climb up. Ive done this with mine and they dont do it anymore

01-03-2011, 05:05 PM	#1
ethelandedna Member Incubating Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lichfield, UK Posts: 201	Reflection causing stress? Just when I thought I could get through a day with having to ask a question... Pebble (the Hermann) is in a guinea pig cage enclosure. He seems quite happy but keeps going to the corner of his basking spot and trying to climb the plastic walls. With the light cast by the bulb you can clearly see his reflection in the plastic. Just wondered if he could see it too and think it was another tort. Will this be causing him stress? It doesn't seem quite right to watch him climbing the walls. He's been living in a viv with 2 other torts in the pet shop but the cage he's now in is a lot bigger.

01-03-2011, 06:10 PM	#3
16 shells Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hull Posts: 7,286	Climbing wall's is a common one mainly with young one's in tables, sometimes it is to try and get out escape, or too hot this can be checked with the thermometer, they can stand vertical and tip over sometimes, this has to be watched. When mine were younger and in tables, if i noticed them constant trying to climb the wall's, i would turn the heat lamp off for about 20 mins and they used to calm down. __________________ Paul.

02-03-2011, 09:58 AM	#8
Bindi Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,157	Is there any way you can move the lamp away from the corner? Torts can somethimes right themselves, but not always. You don't want him falling into his back under the heat lamp... __________________

01-03-2011, 06:09 PM	#2
n47pow Member Egg Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 93	It won't be his reflection, as it is a new home, new things to look at explore, he will simply just be getting used to his lovely new home. Mine were the same when I got them always climbing the walls. Its nothing to worry about at all Hope this helps

01-03-2011, 09:10 PM	#5
ethelandedna Member Incubating Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lichfield, UK Posts: 201	It did seem to have settled a bit later on so hopefully it's just getting to know his 'new pad'. The 'falling on his back' comments have freaked me slightly as it's particularly in his basking spot that he does it, (although at the cool end too sometimes). Can they right themselves if they tip over on a flat surface? I would hate to come home from work and find...

01-03-2011, 10:07 PM	#6
bongo10 Junior Member Egg Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Coventry Posts: 47	I have noticed this too. My hermann has been trying to climb the corner nearest to the heat lamp, and only that corner. I thought it was strange but didnt think much of it.

01-03-2011, 10:32 PM	#7
ethelandedna Member Incubating Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lichfield, UK Posts: 201	ha ha Captain Paranoia has well and truly settled on my shoulder. Keep watching - I'll think of problems. I have a very fertile imagination

02-03-2011, 11:37 AM	#9
ethelandedna Member Incubating Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lichfield, UK Posts: 201	Not easily as we've cut the wire of the cage to fasten it in place. He does seem to be doing it less so will keep an eye on it.

02-03-2011, 07:12 PM	#10
n47pow Member Egg Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 93	how about use some of his substrate to build a mound in the corner, he probabily will love this as he will have something to climb up. Ive done this with mine and they dont do it anymore

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