tort on back...

Bootfit · 02-07-2009, 10:19 AM

As the weather is so nice at the moment I've decided to leave Higgins out in his outside enclosure while I'm at work.

I've just had a phone call from my girlfriend saying she was checking on him before she goes to work and found him on his back. I'm a bit worried now as she won't be getting home until later this afternoon.

Does anyone else leave their torts unnattended throughout the day and find them on their back when they get home? How long can they last on their backs in this heat??

**Alan1** · 02-07-2009, 10:27 AM

Yes they wouldn't last long in the direct sun

It's best if they don't have stuff they can climb on and fall off and best if there are things all around that they can reach to get a hold of.

The one in that link stands upright and falls backwards, it has a flatter shell than my other tort so maybe that's why it struggles to get up again

Cav3 · 02-07-2009, 12:22 PM

One of my babes did that yesterday, it's really worrying. I was home though and just doing a routine check, half their enclosure is in the shade but she decided to fall on her back in the full sun! How long she had been like this I dread to think, but I was there so no real harm was done. It has made me sort of paranoid now though, I think whilst this heat and sun keeps up I shall bring them in when I go out, better to be safe than sorry. I wonder if this is a youngster trait? I have never found either of my older two on their backs.

Bootfit · 02-07-2009, 12:50 PM

Right thats it - I'm driving home to check on him.

Probably find him lazing in the sun with a gin.

freakinmental · 02-07-2009, 01:07 PM

my pebble did that yesterday too he hasnt figured out how to turn himself back again yet and it is worrying, he was inside in his table (as i was going out) with his lights on luckily my sis came home and righted him! i dont wanna keep turning his lights on and off all the time but i'm worried now for when i do go out! Do i need to keep his heat light when he is inside in this warm/hot weather or should i just leave his uv on, on its own?

dae · 02-07-2009, 01:49 PM

Hiya,

Am I right in saying that it's not only the heat that will be dangerous to them but I think that when they are on their back for any length of time their Lungs may be compressed and they might struggle to breath too?

**Alan1** · 02-07-2009, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dae

Hiya,

Am I right in saying that it's not only the heat that will be dangerous to them but I think that when they are on their back for any length of time their Lungs may be compressed and they might struggle to breath too?

Yes I have read that their lungs are too heavy or something

Cav3 · 02-07-2009, 01:55 PM

yep I think your dead right, when upside down the other organs lay on top of the lungs and compress them therefore making it hard to breath

Beverley · 02-07-2009, 04:33 PM

Tortoises have a totally different breathing mechanism to us and being in on their backs will not stop them breathing, it may be uncomfortable but they could do this for long enough.
Its the heat, full sun or under a heat lamp that will do real damage, always give a bath if you see this to ensure they are hydrated, especially the young ones.

Bootfit · 02-07-2009, 04:39 PM

Hey everyone got home to find Higgins as expected lazing in the sun and in no bother. Had to be sure though.

I was wrong about the gin though. Turns out he's a martini drinker!

02-07-2009, 10:19 AM	#1
Bootfit Junior Member Egg Join Date: May 2009 Location: Newton-le-Willows Posts: 16	tort on back... As the weather is so nice at the moment I've decided to leave Higgins out in his outside enclosure while I'm at work. I've just had a phone call from my girlfriend saying she was checking on him before she goes to work and found him on his back. I'm a bit worried now as she won't be getting home until later this afternoon. Does anyone else leave their torts unnattended throughout the day and find them on their back when they get home? How long can they last on their backs in this heat??

02-07-2009, 12:22 PM	#3
Cav3 Member Incubating Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Kent Posts: 155	One of my babes did that yesterday, it's really worrying. I was home though and just doing a routine check, half their enclosure is in the shade but she decided to fall on her back in the full sun! How long she had been like this I dread to think, but I was there so no real harm was done. It has made me sort of paranoid now though, I think whilst this heat and sun keeps up I shall bring them in when I go out, better to be safe than sorry. I wonder if this is a youngster trait? I have never found either of my older two on their backs. __________________

02-07-2009, 01:07 PM	#5
freakinmental Member Juvenile Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Liverpool Posts: 854	my pebble did that yesterday too he hasnt figured out how to turn himself back again yet and it is worrying, he was inside in his table (as i was going out) with his lights on luckily my sis came home and righted him! i dont wanna keep turning his lights on and off all the time but i'm worried now for when i do go out! Do i need to keep his heat light when he is inside in this warm/hot weather or should i just leave his uv on, on its own? __________________ Nik

02-07-2009, 01:49 PM	#6
dae Member Hatchling Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 548	Hiya, Am I right in saying that it's not only the heat that will be dangerous to them but I think that when they are on their back for any length of time their Lungs may be compressed and they might struggle to breath too? __________________ Dae A herd of Horsefields Radiata- Humperdink & friends A Bengal Kitten called Anakin

02-07-2009, 01:55 PM	#8
Cav3 Member Incubating Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Kent Posts: 155	yep I think your dead right, when upside down the other organs lay on top of the lungs and compress them therefore making it hard to breath __________________

02-07-2009, 10:27 AM	#2
Alan1 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sunny Scotland Posts: 21,512	Yes they wouldn't last long in the direct sun It's best if they don't have stuff they can climb on and fall off and best if there are things all around that they can reach to get a hold of. The one in that link stands upright and falls backwards, it has a flatter shell than my other tort so maybe that's why it struggles to get up again

02-07-2009, 12:50 PM	#4
Bootfit Junior Member Egg Join Date: May 2009 Location: Newton-le-Willows Posts: 16	Right thats it - I'm driving home to check on him. Probably find him lazing in the sun with a gin.

02-07-2009, 04:33 PM	#9
Beverley Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 3,493	Tortoises have a totally different breathing mechanism to us and being in on their backs will not stop them breathing, it may be uncomfortable but they could do this for long enough. Its the heat, full sun or under a heat lamp that will do real damage, always give a bath if you see this to ensure they are hydrated, especially the young ones. __________________

02-07-2009, 04:39 PM	#10
Bootfit Junior Member Egg Join Date: May 2009 Location: Newton-le-Willows Posts: 16	Hey everyone got home to find Higgins as expected lazing in the sun and in no bother. Had to be sure though. I was wrong about the gin though. Turns out he's a martini drinker!

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