Hermans that down dig down

mcsmichelles · 26-04-2010, 05:33 PM

Hello all,

None of my hatchlings dig down anymore, I changed the substrate from grass pellet type stuff called Herb bed to topsoil and pro rep tortoise life, But non of them dig down to sleep anymore......

Is this ok?

TortBabe · 26-04-2010, 05:40 PM

Sometimes mine dig down, sometimes they don't! My horsfield often falls asleep under his lamp and when I switch it off at night he stays there and is still there when I switch it back on in the morning! I wouldn't worry as all mine all do different things on different nights!

Gem · 26-04-2010, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcsmichelles

Hello all,

None of my hatchlings dig down anymore, I changed the substrate from grass pellet type stuff called Herb bed to topsoil and pro rep tortoise life, But non of them dig down to sleep anymore......

Is this ok?

Is the soil moist to the touch? If its too dry they will not even attempt to dig down into it as it is unstable and will just collapse on top of them.
It needs to be "sandcastle Consystency" ideally

mcsmichelles · 26-04-2010, 05:48 PM

oh right, that could be it, no its dry. Ill spray it now. See if that makes a difference.

**Alan1** · 26-04-2010, 08:13 PM

I've just brought mine in from being outside all day and one was under the bush as usual and the other was under her slate which has topsoil under it and it's bone dry. she digs right down completely out of sight but it depends how cold it is, the colder it is the deeper down she goes

mcsmichelles · 26-04-2010, 08:19 PM

The temps are 70 in thee cool end. Lamp still on as 3 of my 5 are still awake

SeeShell · 26-04-2010, 08:20 PM

When I have just changed the topsoil/sand mix so it's a wee bit damp mine don't dig. A day or two later, when it's completely dry, they do. Like Alan said, colder it is deeper they go. Mine took a wee bit of time to get used to the soil/sand initially so if you've only changed to that substrate recently they may need some to adjust.

SeeShell · 26-04-2010, 08:22 PM

You must have been blessed with the scottish sun today Alan - was miserable further north. What temp do you let yours out at?

**Alan1** · 26-04-2010, 08:22 PM

yes, a couple of months to settle in properly. torts do not like change

**Alan1** · 26-04-2010, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeeShell

You must have been blessed with the scottish sun today Alan - was miserable further north. What temp do you let yours out at?

Not sure really, just if it feels warm. if they are in a sheltered spot outside it can be really hot in direct sun so the air temp doesn't need to be scorching or owt like that. It was quite sunny when I left at lunch time and I've been at Newcastle and it was sunny there but not sure if the sun has been out at home all the time I was away, still sunny here now though so it probably has been all day

26-04-2010, 05:33 PM	#1
mcsmichelles Member Hatchling Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Stevenage, HERTFORDSHIRE Posts: 725	Hermans that down dig down Hello all, None of my hatchlings dig down anymore, I changed the substrate from grass pellet type stuff called Herb bed to topsoil and pro rep tortoise life, But non of them dig down to sleep anymore...... Is this ok?

26-04-2010, 05:40 PM	#2
TortBabe Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 6,919	Sometimes mine dig down, sometimes they don't! My horsfield often falls asleep under his lamp and when I switch it off at night he stays there and is still there when I switch it back on in the morning! I wouldn't worry as all mine all do different things on different nights! __________________ Busy Mum to ~ 2 Kids, 2 Yorkies, 1 Horsfield, 6 Hermanns, 2 Iberas, 6 Tunisians, 2 Indian Stars and 2 Pancakes

26-04-2010, 05:48 PM	#4
mcsmichelles Member Hatchling Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Stevenage, HERTFORDSHIRE Posts: 725	oh right, that could be it, no its dry. Ill spray it now. See if that makes a difference.

26-04-2010, 08:13 PM	#5
Alan1 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sunny Scotland Posts: 21,512	I've just brought mine in from being outside all day and one was under the bush as usual and the other was under her slate which has topsoil under it and it's bone dry. she digs right down completely out of sight but it depends how cold it is, the colder it is the deeper down she goes

26-04-2010, 08:19 PM	#6
mcsmichelles Member Hatchling Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Stevenage, HERTFORDSHIRE Posts: 725	The temps are 70 in thee cool end. Lamp still on as 3 of my 5 are still awake

26-04-2010, 08:20 PM	#7
SeeShell Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Scotland, UK Posts: 3,120	When I have just changed the topsoil/sand mix so it's a wee bit damp mine don't dig. A day or two later, when it's completely dry, they do. Like Alan said, colder it is deeper they go. Mine took a wee bit of time to get used to the soil/sand initially so if you've only changed to that substrate recently they may need some to adjust.

26-04-2010, 08:22 PM	#8
SeeShell Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Scotland, UK Posts: 3,120	You must have been blessed with the scottish sun today Alan - was miserable further north. What temp do you let yours out at?

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