I placed my Russian Tortoise in a penned area with solid sides and he still paces and tried to find a way to climb out. It's to the point now - glass, wood, plastic - he gets his belly flat against the sides and spends hours trying to climb out. If not climbing then he is stretching his neck as tall as possible to see over the solid sides. He is very aware. I've taken to allowing him to be in all three areas throughout the day to tire him out. In between these bouts of practicing to be an escape artist, he thoroughly enjoys his wading dish 4 - 5 times a day - this is on top of the bath wading bath I give him weekly.
On the contrary, I have a second Russian Tortoise, and he could care less where he is so long as he can borough or nudge tightly against the sides as if he is hiding.
Any suggestions? I've checked for parasites, temperature, food water....
Jan 10, 2010
glass by: Brionni
So first I can tell youve got a vivarium yep well vivariums can stress tortoises out because they can see their own reflection and they will constantly keep ramming thinking its another tortoise.
Jan 05, 2010
glass by: Anonymous
The problem is the glass. If you make it so your tortoise can't see out, you will have less pacing.
