Do Hermann Tortoises dig and bury themselves

GHOME · 10-05-2007, 10:14 PM

Hi Everyone I am getting my new Hermann tomorrow but I have a dilemma over do Hermann's dig I ask this because I have a Tortoise Table but I am going to make an outside enclosure and put some topsoil and children's sand at one end but was wondering do I need Chicken Mesh under the soil to stop them escaping?

would I be better putting 1/2" pebbles under the soil about 6" down to act as a sort of barrier.

10-05-2007, 10:21 PM

They dont generally tunnel down like Russians to escape, they do dig down to sleep sometimes though, but not all of them do.
I wouldnt see the need to Bury Mesh down, but I have concret breeze blocks about two-3 feet down and also breeze blocks along the side, just incase any Russians do end up here (Not that I have any plans- but then again, I only planned 2 torts and ended up with 3) and You never know what time brings!

Josh

GHOME · 10-05-2007, 10:26 PM

Hi Josh never thought long term but hey you never know, There maybe a time i am offered more so i will take that thought along when i am making my outdoor enclosure.
Gary...

Blaze · 10-05-2007, 11:25 PM

My hermanns has only ever covered himself to sleep, and even it wasn't very deep at all

I'd say you don't have my need to worry about mesh, but if it makes You feel safer then go for it.

Pussygalore · 11-05-2007, 07:36 AM

mine also only dig where the ground is dug over and in the places I want them to dig they only go as deep as the soil is loose, if that makes sense.

GHOME · 11-05-2007, 11:31 AM

Thanks everyone for your own experiences so I do not have to Electrify the ground to stop them escaping. Only joking you Tortoise lovers
Cheers
Gary...

shelliemavis · 11-05-2007, 11:44 AM

Shellie digs down and completely covers herself so we can't find her when she's bedding down for the night. Mavis doesn't dig down at all. Both are THB.

Judith

Bride2b · 11-05-2007, 08:52 PM

Hi

My 2 little 11 month old THB`s bury themselves sometimes so you can just see their shell, where as my older THB digs down a few inches, we have put down the weed fabric under the litle ones enclosure, but with the older one we havent.

Tanya

kelly123 · 11-05-2007, 08:58 PM

my hermanns i got 4 of them i only see them bury them selfs when they go to sleep that the only time they dig they never covered there self completly if this helps you at all

regards kelly

10-05-2007, 10:14 PM	#1
GHOME Junior Member Egg Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: MERSEYSIDE Posts: 22	Do Hermann Tortoises dig and bury themselves Hi Everyone I am getting my new Hermann tomorrow but I have a dilemma over do Hermann's dig I ask this because I have a Tortoise Table but I am going to make an outside enclosure and put some topsoil and children's sand at one end but was wondering do I need Chicken Mesh under the soil to stop them escaping? would I be better putting 1/2" pebbles under the soil about 6" down to act as a sort of barrier.

10-05-2007, 11:25 PM	#4
Blaze Member Hatched Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Andover, Hampshire. Posts: 465	My hermanns has only ever covered himself to sleep, and even it wasn't very deep at all I'd say you don't have my need to worry about mesh, but if it makes You feel safer then go for it. __________________ Zoe xx R.I.P Stompie.

11-05-2007, 11:44 AM	#7
shelliemavis Member Hatched Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: North West Posts: 278	Shellie digs down and completely covers herself so we can't find her when she's bedding down for the night. Mavis doesn't dig down at all. Both are THB. Judith __________________ 0.0.2 Testudo Hermanni Boettgeri - Shellie (Ellie's) & Mavis (mine) hatched 2006 0.2.0 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels - Su age 12 & Emma age 8 1.1.12 Tropical Fish 0.1.0 Daughter - Ellie aka Shelliejunior age 11 1.0.0 Husband

11-05-2007, 08:58 PM	#9
kelly123 Member Incubating Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: northeast Posts: 177	my hermanns i got 4 of them i only see them bury them selfs when they go to sleep that the only time they dig they never covered there self completly if this helps you at all regards kelly __________________ HERMANN TORTOISE ,SONYA CLEO ,HERCULES XENA farewell to my warrior and thankyou for trying gone but forever in our hearts. LEOPARDS 4 farewell to my leos they had to go back but was happy to of help them in this short time

10-05-2007, 10:21 PM	#2
tortoise_dude Guest Posts: n/a	They dont generally tunnel down like Russians to escape, they do dig down to sleep sometimes though, but not all of them do. I wouldnt see the need to Bury Mesh down, but I have concret breeze blocks about two-3 feet down and also breeze blocks along the side, just incase any Russians do end up here (Not that I have any plans- but then again, I only planned 2 torts and ended up with 3) and You never know what time brings! Josh

10-05-2007, 10:26 PM	#3
GHOME Junior Member Egg Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: MERSEYSIDE Posts: 22	Hi Josh never thought long term but hey you never know, There maybe a time i am offered more so i will take that thought along when i am making my outdoor enclosure. Gary...

11-05-2007, 07:36 AM	#5
Pussygalore Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cambridge Posts: 6,479	mine also only dig where the ground is dug over and in the places I want them to dig they only go as deep as the soil is loose, if that makes sense.

11-05-2007, 11:31 AM	#6
GHOME Junior Member Egg Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: MERSEYSIDE Posts: 22	Thanks everyone for your own experiences so I do not have to Electrify the ground to stop them escaping. Only joking you Tortoise lovers Cheers Gary...

11-05-2007, 08:52 PM	#8
Bride2b Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,301	Hi My 2 little 11 month old THB`s bury themselves sometimes so you can just see their shell, where as my older THB digs down a few inches, we have put down the weed fabric under the litle ones enclosure, but with the older one we havent. Tanya

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