Radiata behaves looks not behaving correctly after moving to a larger enclosure

qiangzhu

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Mar 7, 2019
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151
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Washington
The radiata originally was in a smaller enclosure. The substrate was a reptile carpet. The temperature was more than 90F in the small enclosure and 100F in the basking area. The old enclosure is a semi-closed enclosure. The humidity is around 60-80% boosted by a humidifier.

But I heard the humidifier is not good for the tortoise respiratory and the tortoise was doubled the size when he was in the old enclosure. So I moved it to the new enclosure which is 3 times larger. Since I don't use humidifier in the new enclosure, I used wet coconut soil to boost the humidity (the humidity is still 60-80%) and the enclosure is closed. Since the enclosure is larger, it is hard to make the temperature as high as 90F like the old enclosure. But the temperature is about 80-85F in the enclosure and is still 100F in the basking area. But I feel the radiata doesn't quite like the new enclosure. He always stays in one corner and doesn't walk like in the old enclosure. And he eats less than before. He used to poop every day when he was soaked but now he poops once every 3-4 days.

I read some posts online. Someone says radiata needs more time than other tortoises to be accustomed to a new environment so it is normal for the radiata to behave lie this. But I am still worried that there is something wrong for the tortoise. Not sure if anyone here can give me any suggestions on it? Thanks a lot!
 

TeamZissou

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Aug 23, 2020
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Albuquerque, NM
How long has the tortoise been in this new enclosure?

Is the new substrate anything beyond just the coco coir? As I understand it, @zovick used Cyprus mulch.

Do you have a similar density of plants or places to hide in the new enclosure?
 

zovick

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Nov 17, 2013
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3,388
The radiata originally was in a smaller enclosure. The substrate was a reptile carpet. The temperature was more than 90F in the small enclosure and 100F in the basking area. The old enclosure is a semi-closed enclosure. The humidity is around 60-80% boosted by a humidifier.

But I heard the humidifier is not good for the tortoise respiratory and the tortoise was doubled the size when he was in the old enclosure. So I moved it to the new enclosure which is 3 times larger. Since I don't use humidifier in the new enclosure, I used wet coconut soil to boost the humidity (the humidity is still 60-80%) and the enclosure is closed. Since the enclosure is larger, it is hard to make the temperature as high as 90F like the old enclosure. But the temperature is about 80-85F in the enclosure and is still 100F in the basking area. But I feel the radiata doesn't quite like the new enclosure. He always stays in one corner and doesn't walk like in the old enclosure. And he eats less than before. He used to poop every day when he was soaked but now he poops once every 3-4 days.

I read some posts online. Someone says radiata needs more time than other tortoises to be accustomed to a new environment so it is normal for the radiata to behave lie this. But I am still worried that there is something wrong for the tortoise. Not sure if anyone here can give me any suggestions on it? Thanks a lot!
It could take up to a full month for that tortoise to begin to act normally again in the new enclosure. Keep soaking it daily and put it in front of its food after the soak. Eventually, it will start to go back to its old routine. I had one young Radiated which didn't move a muscle (other than while it was soaking) for a full 30 days after being put in a new enclosure. That one was a bt extreme, usually a week is all they need, but sometimes it can be a month as I just said.
 
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