Burrowing

[karleyreed]

I have recently just added coco husk to one end of my tort enclosure.
When I went to check on him, he was no where to be seen! I frantically raked through the substrate and found his completely burrowed in it, totally covered himself, Is this ok? Can he breathe? I moved him in a panic and he has went straight back and done it again.

 

[Yvonne G]

This is a Hermann's tortoise?

Yes, they can breathe under the soil. They do this in nature and feel safe.

 

[karleyreed]

This is a Hermann's tortoise?

Yes, they can breathe under the soil. They do this in nature and feel safe.

Yeah he is a hermans. And thank god!! Haha. I was panicking like hell!! I take it he likes his new substrate.

 

[dmarcus]

Very normal for most tortoises and turtles. I keep several inches of substrate in my enclosure, so that mine can bury down deep.

 

[karleyreed]

Very normal for most tortoises and turtles. I keep several inches of substrate in my enclosure, so that mine can bury down deep.

He's never done it with his other substrate, but has with this one.

 

[srod]

my little sulcata has been attempting to burrow lately, its funny watching it dig - also on coconut coir

 

[dmarcus]

He must like the feel of the coco husk...

 

[karleyreed]

He must like the feel of the coco husk...

I thought I was gunna have a coronary attack! Haha. But when I found him, I was like "what on earth are you doing?!"
Haha! So glad it's natural for him tho.

 

[Moozillion]

My Hermann's, Elsa, completely buries herself in her substrate (4 inches of organic potting soil) every day! I used to gently poke a finger down into the substrate until I found her, but now I don't worry. In the mornings, she pokes just her head out for a while as she wakes up and warms up. I snap photos of her little head poking out of the soil and send the photo to a friend for the new game show I've invented: Spot The Tortoise Head!!!

 

[Eweezyfosheezy]

Ha ha perfectly normal.

 

[arotester]

I snap photos of her little head poking out of the soil and send the photo to a friend for the new game show I've invented: Spot The Tortoise Head!!!

Wow that was some creativity,keep it up!!!

 

[cemmons12]

I love watching Cooper try it bury himself, he flips it so hard he throws it almost to the other side of the enclosure, with very little on his back.

 

[Shannon and Jason]

our lil one also loves to burrow down until nothing but the top of its shell is showing I also panicked at 1st til my daughter informed me it was normal behavior.