Had my first crazy "new mom moment"

[Arjun&Yoshi]

So our baby RT came home yesterday and he went to sleep in his hide around 8pm last night. This morning about 12 hours later he was still not out. Then I started to panic because I couldn't see him at all. He was down pretty deep in the substrate. So I'm assuming now that he's out and fine, that it's normal for a baby Russian to bury himself down pretty low and that he can breathe just fine?

I was so worried because I couldn't find him and then when I did he wasn't moving and was so deep in the substrate. I swear it's like having a new born again LOL

 

[Ciri]

I know – even we experienced keepers feel that sometimes with a newborn. Likely he just needs some time to rest and get adjusted. And depending on how young he is, they do sleep a lot as babies. If he doesn't get up for two days, I would suggest getting him in his water dish. It takes time, but he will get used to his new home. I know I felt at moments that I wasn't sure if I would make it through my first baby box turtle's babyhood, but it gets easier in time.

 

[lismar79]

Yep, they are diggers!

 

[Arjun&Yoshi]

Thanks so much! I'm sure with experience I'll start to relax more, but I was so stressed today. I even went into work 30 minutes late because I couldn't leave until I knew he was ok.

 

[wellington]

Yep, I remember those days. As time goes on, you will learn his/her routine more, but sorry to say, there will still be times that they will make you panic. That just doesn't go away with time or their age, at least not for me.

 

[newCH]

I know how you feel. I've had Sheldon for 8 days now, and the first few mornings I first check on him, it felt like an accomplishment that he was alive and breathing, that I hadnt done anything wrong to my precious baby !
When I'm at work, I call home for updates to what he's doing, etc.

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

Don't worry, russians LOVE to dig! There will be plenty of new-mom moments

 

[VBgecko]

If you ever want a good scare, finding your non-burrowing tortoise sleeping like this … It looked like a full on tortoise snuff film the first time I saw it …

 

[kmartin]

How about the 'old mom' scare? My mother is disabled and lives with me. She doesn't walk very well, so I set up my 3 baby box turtles in an enclosure outside her bedroom window for her to watch. Well I got a call at work last week from her to say that 1 of the babies was dead in the water bowl. The other 2 were crawling on him and he just wouldn't move. She was devastated, and so was I. Well, when I got home and got out the flashlight and went out to check on my poor baby he wasn't there! Apparently the little darling was hogging the water bowl/swimming pool so the others couldn't get in and soak too. It was the longest drive home from work ever!!!!

 

[Ciri]

that must've been tough until you knew he was okay! That's really nice she gets to watch the three babies out her window.

 

[Arjun&Yoshi]

So scary for sure! Glad all were okay.

 

[leigti]

If you ever want a good scare, finding your non-burrowing tortoise sleeping like this … It looked like a full on tortoise snuff film the first time I saw it …
View attachment 106406

Oh my God, I would've aged 10 years!