Is my 1 year old Russian stressed?

Speedy101 · Nov 25, 2021

Hello everyone!
In July, we decided to add a small addition to our family, Lenny, who is a one year old Russian tortoise. He has been quarantined from July in a completely separate room to our 14 Yr old Greek, Speedy. Recently, we built a new enclosure that he will remain in even when he’s adult. It’s in the tortoise greenhouse which is insulated and at tortoise height holds an ambient temp of 24 degrees Celsius , with the cool end around 19-20c. They are in separate enclosures with a large gap in between and I am still very careful about cross contamination. Basking temp for Lenny is 35 degree Celsius and he has lots of places to hide and dig. However, he has gone off his food and eats very sporadically. This has happened since he went in his new enclosure a week ago. Am I safe to assume he’s settling in and may be stressed due to the big change?. P.s he is still very active.
Thanks everyone

Maro2Bear · Nov 25, 2021

Id venture to say that Lenny is still a bit stressed by the move. As you know, they get set in their ways then all of a sudden BAM! new house, new environment. It doesn't (yet) feel safe. check your lights & the duration they are on. Shorter days now might also be a factor. Your temps look good.

Upload a pix of your new habitat. Good luck.

Speedy101 · Nov 25, 2021

Maro2Bear said:
Id venture to say that Lenny is still a bit stressed by the move. As you know, they get set in their ways then all of a sudden BAM! new house, new environment. It doesn't (yet) feel safe. check your lights & the duration they are on. Shorter days now might also be a factor. Your temps look good.

Upload a pix of your new habitat. Good luck.

Thanks for your reply! It is a big habitat as he is still only small which may be causing stress. I’m adding some more ambient light today incase he’s trying to brumate.

Speedy101 · Nov 25, 2021

Here is a picture of lenny’s new enclosure. I’m in process of adding more plants so he feels secure. I’m going to be adding more ambient light to brighten darker areas. I’ve added a pic of Lenny basking too! His scutes are slightly raised from before I got him but I believe his new growth is coming in nice and smooth. Humidity is around 70%.

ZenHerper · Nov 25, 2021

Do what you can to get more cover installed...this species evolved in areas where there are lots of plants and places to hide. A tortoise out in the open will feel insecure and in danger.

Really cool build -- what are your materials?

Speedy101 · Nov 25, 2021

ZenHerper said:
Do what you can to get more cover installed...this species evolved in areas where there are lots of plants and places to hide. A tortoise out in the open will feel insecure and in danger.

Really cool build -- what are your materials?

Do you think that’s why he’s on food strike as he feels on edge? Also thank you, it’s made from rigid plastic sheeting that’s used for roofs of conservatories and car ports. We actually got it for free as it was going to be thrown away!

ZenHerper · Nov 25, 2021

Love an upcycle!

Yes - he may be feeling exposed. A quick fix would be to get a plastic shoe box and cut out a door...put the hide box near the food plate so he can reach it more quickly. This will also keep him closer to the light and heat for diurnal and digestive management. Bring the water over as well.

Once your landscaping has been established, s/he will feel more like moving around the entire habitat.

Speedy101 · Nov 26, 2021

So I’ve added some plant pots and buried them slightly to add more hiding areas. I’ve added some logs he can bury underneath and various other little hides. He can fit in the little cave as he buries down into it. I’ve added more ambient light and offered him dandelions but he’s not having it. He’s very active ,however, pacing the walls as torts do when surveying a new environment. Hopefully he settles in soon and gets his appetite back!! Here’s a picture of speedy across the way enjoying his lunch.

Lyn W · Nov 26, 2021

Is the greenhouse heated as well as the enclosures?
I'm just wondering if bubble wrap is enough to insulate it for winter temps - especially in North.
I hope it's strong enough to survive today's gales too, looks horrendous further north - stay safe!!

Speedy101 · Nov 26, 2021

Lyn W said:
Is the greenhouse heated as well as the enclosures?
I'm just wondering if bubble wrap is enough to insulate it for winter temps - especially in North.
I hope it's strong enough to survive today's gales too, looks horrendous further north - stay safe!!

Yes we have a large heater in there and it is a strong greenhouse we’ve had for many years. Last year was the first time we used it over winter and it held up very well. As the enclosures are high up off the ground, the heat rises and it stays very warm at the tortoises level. I sometimes find myself hanging about in there during winter as it’s warmer than the house ?!

Speedy101 · Nov 26, 2021

Speedy101 said:
Yes we have a large heater in there and it is a strong greenhouse we’ve had for many years. Last year was the first time we used it over winter and it held up very well. As the enclosures are high up off the ground, the heat rises and it stays very warm at the tortoises level. I sometimes find myself hanging about in there during winter as it’s warmer than the house ?

Speedy101 said:
Yes we have a large heater in there and it is a strong greenhouse we’ve had for many years. Last year was the first time we used it over winter and it held up very well. As the enclosures are high up off the ground, the heat rises and it stays very warm at the tortoises level. I sometimes find myself hanging about in there during winter as it’s warmer than the house ?!

We bring them inside every night too

maureen allenza · Nov 26, 2021

Le

Speedy101 said:
Hello everyone!
In July, we decided to add a small addition to our family, Lenny, who is a one year old Russian tortoise. He has been quarantined from July in a completely separate room to our 14 Yr old Greek, Speedy. Recently, we built a new enclosure that he will remain in even when he’s adult. It’s in the tortoise greenhouse which is insulated and at tortoise height holds an ambient temp of 24 degrees Celsius , with the cool end around 19-20c. They are in separate enclosures with a large gap in between and I am still very careful about cross contamination. Basking temp for Lenny is 35 degree Celsius and he has lots of places to hide and dig. However, he has gone off his food and eats very sporadically. This has happened since he went in his new enclosure a week ago. Am I safe to assume he’s settling in and may be stressed due to the big change?. P.s he is still very active.
Thanks everyone is a beauty! So cute!

maureen allenza · Nov 26, 2021

Lenny is a beauty! So cute!!!!!!!÷

maureen allenza · Nov 26, 2021

maureen allenza said:
Lenny is a beauty! So cute!!!!!!!

TaylorTortoise · Nov 26, 2021

Speedy101 said:
So I’ve added some plant pots and buried them slightly to add more hiding areas. I’ve added some logs he can bury underneath and various other little hides. He can fit in the little cave as he buries down into it. I’ve added more ambient light and offered him dandelions but he’s not having it. He’s very active ,however, pacing the walls as torts do when surveying a new environment. Hopefully he settles in soon and gets his appetite back!! Here’s a picture of speedy across the way enjoying his lunch.

Who is the tort in the last pic? Doesnt look like a Russian to me.

Speedy101 · Nov 26, 2021

TaylorTortoise said:
Who is the tort in the last pic? Doesnt look like a Russian to me.

My other tortoise speedy

Lenny is the Russian.

Sarah2020 · Nov 27, 2021

Speedy101 said:
So I’ve added some plant pots and buried them slightly to add more hiding areas. I’ve added some logs he can bury underneath and various other little hides. He can fit in the little cave as he buries down into it. I’ve added more ambient light and offered him dandelions but he’s not having it. He’s very active ,however, pacing the walls as torts do when surveying a new environment. Hopefully he settles in soon and gets his appetite back!! Here’s a picture of speedy across the way enjoying his lunch.

I think the new layout additions will help, nice roomy enclosure.

Speedy101 · Nov 27, 2021

Sarah2020 said:
I think the new layout additions will help, nice roomy enclosure.

Thank you

Is my 1 year old Russian stressed?

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