They are very slow
 

Hi,

I have got 2 Hermann torts (2 years). They are in their outdoor enclosure, eating well, looking well but are really slow. They don't like to come out of their house very much eventhough it is much warmer in there than outside under a plant in the shade. I bath them every other day. Sometimes I put them out by myself just to make sure they are eating. Their size and weight is fine and they don't have worms. There are many hiding places in their enclosure.

A week ago I saw some tortoises the same age and they seem to be so much more active. Should I worry about mine??

Many thanks

Hi ?

All tortoises are different, and some take a lot longer to ajust to new enclosures/home.
Are they out 24hrs ?
How long have you had them?
How big is the enclosure?
Do you bring them in at night?
All these things can make a difference, as long as they are eating, drinking and have clear eyes
and a dry nose. Then there shouldnt be too much wrong.

Hi sandy, I have the tortoises for a year now. The enclosure is about 4 m x 3 m. They are out 24 h. They look healthy. If I put them on the lawn in our garden they move around quickly that's for sure.

Many thanks.

Sometimes if the enclosure is really big, small tortoises feel threatened. So break up the
enclosure with plants, rocks and hidey holes. They will then feel happier about moving around.

wow sandy that gev me help also lol.
i think i might put some of that flexible bamboo that MisterThomas has in her enclosure, a few plants such as lavender pansy and stuff and then some rocks in my new enclosure to come.
im building an enclosure for my jerry and then another for looi, that can be put out side but also come in.
the bottom can be took off for the out doors an put on indoors.
anyways...im thinking about putting some shallow rocks in do you know if shallow rocks are fine?
like slates?
shallow flat rocks and so on?
and also im thinking about putting a shallow storage box thats about 6 inches long and 5-6 inches wide and like 2 inches high for my tortoises to bathe in every day incase i dont bath em./

:( i was told that my idea sounds *in so many words* crap....

At least your making an effort, which is more than most, !!

Have a look at some pictures in the photo section also the photo comp from last month, you will get loads of ideas and am sure you will give them a great enclosure, post some pics of your how it is now and lets see what suggestions people make.

Darren

if you go into the pictures section ive made a new post named Housing...HELP

Be careful that any slate you use is the really thick slate, not the sort put on roofs. As the ones
put on roofs are way to thin, and get extreemly hot.
Hides of broken terrocotta pots work well too. They like to have fun outside or in. So the more
interesting you can make it the better.

A great thing for them to bath in it a little terracotta plant tray the sort you put the plant pots in.

You can get these from Wilkinsons for 40p if you have one near you. Just put a few pebbles or gravel in so they can turn themselves back over if they overturn in it.

Plant cover is one of the main things I think for not moving about. And the temperatures we
are having at the moment. With smaller tortoises, dwarf hebes are a must, they give cover so
well in enclosures, with out making it too difficult to find the torts<g>. They also give lots of
shade.