Totally normal not to see them for a couple of days, and yes it can be worrisome. He's just enjoying the ability to slow his metabolism and relax.
Tanks latest burrow...
- Thread starter Tank'sMom
- Start date
While this does occasionally happen over time in the wild with several animals digging in the same vicinity over many years, I have never seen anything other than one hole simple burrows here in the states. They go down and curve to the right, but they never come back up. They just dig one hole and come in and out through that same tunnel.
Well Tom, here's one for the books. The parents of my two baby monsters have dug tunnels with so many passages, the the owners had to close most of them. This is on a farm and I believe they live on 5 acres. One tunnel went 17' down. The father of my sullies escaped that way and was found over 35 .miles away. Luckily, he had a name tag and they were able to go get him. Who knows what opening he escaped from.
Cool! Was this in FL? First time I've heard of that here. Is there a way you could ask for some pics? I'd love to learn more about it.
Is there a possibility they dug multiple burrows that intersect? Just a thought, They could have built close burrows....the exit is the only part impossible to explain, I'd love to know more
I could ask the owners. I did see the tunnel that the female made that was huge. The pen they made for the male was reinforced with screws and bolts about 12" long since he broke through several attempts to barricade him in. They're the ones who told me about the tunnels they found, and how the male escaped. Btw, yes, it was Florida near Defineak Springs.
Is there a possibility they dug multiple burrows that intersect? Just a thought, They could have built close burrows....the exit is the only part impossible to explain, I'd love to know more
The exit is truly the mystery. Imagine the shock they received when someone from Freeport called them and asked if they lost a tortoise! I may have to visit her soon to get pics. Oh!! A thought just crossed my mind...if the father of my babies did this, what's the possibility that one of the two males will come out like their dad?!?
Very likely. I definitely see elements of personality in some of my hatchlings.
Is there a possibility they dug multiple burrows that intersect? Just a thought, They could have built close burrows....the exit is the only part impossible to explain, I'd love to know more
What I do know is that there are some wild sullies in that farm area. Perhaps they intersected at some points. But, it's totally possible that other had burrowed tunnels, and that there's a whole underground of passages. I need to go back out to the farm and take pics of their farm and the land all around there. I never thought anything of it because I thought it was all natural. But, now I'm interested!
Oh no! I can't deal with that. I don't live on a farm and I don't have even an acre of property. I have one large backyard and it has cement barriers at the perimeter. I do notice that the largest, Beasty Boy, is a wanderer. He's constantly looking around for interesting things to check out. Btw, my two sullies are related to the ones they have at a nearby zoo!
Sorry Tank's Mom for taking over your thread. It's just that these burrows as so interesting!
Yes, likely he has, just you have not been there---tortoise are very sneaky, like silent ninja's.....
Awesome post. So glad Tank found a suitable spot. Daisy has had the same problem as tank did running into concrete, etc. Like some others here, he is a wanderer, especially in the summer. Gotta make sure the backyard gates are locked or he will take off, perhaps hunting for a mate. I assume summer is mating season?
Nope. Breeding activity ceases or slows way down when its hot out. They breed a lot in "winter" here, and lay a clutch of eggs every 6 weeks or so from the end of December, up until about April or May depending on the weather. Some males continue mounting, but they do it less and the females don't lay when its hot out.
They just like to wander at any time of year.
Tank'sMom
Well-Known Member
Oh and he's still digging! Right into my neighbors yard now. He better stop soon or he's run into the side of their swimming pool in about 10 feet!!! He started this at the far edge of the yard. Now I'm thinking he might not have picked a great spot. Again.
He comes out and eats if I bring him food. As soon as he hears me he comes out expecting goodies. I've always given him a plate of greens, cactus, squash, and stuff every 2-3 days. But then he goes back inside. No grazing.
Still digging!!!
Tank'sMom
Well-Known Member
How far do they usually go? He's at about 10ft in now, and in another 10ft will hit the neighbors pool!
Oh,oh...he can still go. Ho big is he again? I hope he stops where he is; otherwise, he can break the cement, liner, or any of the water pump's mechanisms. Your insurance may not cover it if you didn't include your pet tortoise on the policy.
You may try to get him out, measure the length, find the end, dig there from the top, and fill it in with hard core cement about 10". He"ll be forced to dig away from the pool. Outside of that, I'd fill in the whole and you find a spot in the middle of your acre to start another whole for him. This way you control ,somewhat, where he digs. Don't go to close to your house, or he may dig straight under your foundation and wreak havoc for you!
Tank'sMom
Well-Known Member
I've tried to get him to dig where I want. Many times. Doesn't work.
I like the idea of blocking off part of it. Today when I looked in there, he's turned a corner. He's not going straight anymore. So, away from the pool. If he turns it around back into my yard that'd be perfect! But who knows which way he'll go. I need to find a way to get in there! Lol.
He's 120lbs.
Tank'sMom
Well-Known Member
How odd. That's exactly what he just did today! He's turned to the right! Why is that? And how long do these burrows typically end up being? Any chance he'll circle back into my yard by going a little more to the right??
Tank'sMom
Well-Known Member
Wow!! I hope this doesn't go that far!
How do you put a name tag on them???
