My tortoise has turned into a dog.

[yillt]

The other day I put Billy into his new cage and he stomped about madly and was swishing his tail. He did it 4 since then and just now he is in the garden and his tail is thrashing about. Does it mean he is angry or happy ETC.
Should I take him to the vet or can I do something to help?

 

[wellington]

No need for a vet for that. Hard to say if he is happy or mad. He is just being a tort.

 

[lismar79]

Not sure if I read too much into it but I noticed when I change marthas enclosure around she poos in her food dish until I put it all back....

 

[yillt]

Oh. I have never seen him wagging his tail before this. Does your tort do it?

 

[yillt]

My little Billy doesn't do that.He doesn't poop in his food bowl he just stomps around head butting everything and making sure everything was how it was before.

 

[lismar79]

She wags her tail right before pooping but that's pretty much it. Torts are creatures of habit. I'm thinking its the stress of a change.

 

[yillt]

Ok. Yvonne and Aldabra man and all the other experts do you have any opinions on this.

 

[biochemnerd808]

I wouldn't worry. Tortoises do weird things sometimes. As long as your tortoise is active, eating, basking etc. and has a dry nose and clear eyes, you're probably good to go.

If you would like, please post the basking temp, the ambient warm temp, the cool side temp and the night temp, as well as what kind of enclosure and substrate you use. Pictures would be awesome too - this way IF there is anything amiss with the set-up, we can help you trouble shoot.

 

[yillt]

This is Billy. He seems fine now but I found him with his head sticking under the water this morning. He was awake but seemed abit drowsy. Now he seems ok and he has gone to the loo.

 

[lismar79]

He was probably drinking water when his head was in the water, this is good Do you soak Billy often? He might not have used the loo if he was dehydrated.

 

[yillt]

I soak him twice every 3 days. Also how heavy should he be? He seems abit under weight. But now he is fine and going too the loo regularly. I am so relieved.

 

[lismar79]

As long as he feels solid when you pick him up, should be fine. They all grow at their own pace.

 

[shanu303]

my indian star wags his tail every time i sprinkle or spray water on him for the bath or when he's in the rain....

 

[yillt]

Ok. Thanks I think he just likes to wag his tail.