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Old 04-12-2008, 02:58 PM   #1
sydney
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Default Mirror in indoor enclosure... Is it cruel?

Afternoon all,

At work i had recieved some cardboard samples, one of which was a reflective mirror board. I thought i'd try putting this into my torts indoor enclosure to see his response. He can't seem to leave the thing alone, infront of the mirror i had added a few small rocks which he now constantly climbs to get up close to the mirror, which i guess is good for his claws, but my main question is it cruel to let him think that there is another Tort in there with him? Will this distress him in any way do you think?

He appears to be more lively and happy than i have ever seen him but at the same time seems to trying everything possible to get to the Tort in the mirror. He leaves it alone for maybe 5/10 mins at a time, but then curiousity sets in and he will climb back up there again.

What do you guys think?

King regards,
Brad
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Old 04-12-2008, 03:11 PM   #2
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i had a similar thing the lights were causing glare / reflections from my table walls which are white
i felt the torts were stressed trying to scratch at the walls
so i lined the whole table with panels of grey slate
this stopped the glare & reflections
and stopped the torts stressing

so in my opinion i do feel it may be cruel my torts seemed much more settled once i removed the reflection problem
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Old 04-12-2008, 05:59 PM   #3
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Because torts are solitary animals he is probably displaying either mating instinct or backing down a rival. Torts don't need a "buddy" like social animals.
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Old 04-12-2008, 07:01 PM   #4
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I wouldnt use any sort of mirror, card or otherwise as it can stress tortoises out.
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Old 04-12-2008, 08:09 PM   #5
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We make sure enclosures are made so the tort cannot see out - this stops them trying but in the case of mirror board, the reflection represents what looks, I'm sure, like an extension to his enclosure so he will forever be trying to get to it. I would take it out.
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Old 04-12-2008, 08:17 PM   #6
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Cool, thank you all for your advice, i will get rid of it.

I'm glad i asked to question
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