- Joined
- Oct 19, 2010
- Messages
- 18
Claude (who was Maude until clearly was a Claude) is my male 10in redfoot. He lives outside in a large enclosure about 16ftx20ft. I have had him several years now and now that he has reached sexual maturity I find myself questioning the best environment for him. He has a nice enclosure with trees/pond/ivies etc growing in it. Still I see him often pacing the sides and know it must get pretty boring in there after a while. I know right now he is looking for a female as his log has become his new closest friend (if you know what I mean).
I just feel sort of bad for him-like keeping him in this pen is not satisfying needs he has that are instinctual and because of that are incredibly strong. Would he be better off with a companion of some sort? The research I read before I got him pointed to them not really being social creatures and preferring to live alone. But his behavior just makes me wonder. Is there something I can do for his mental health? I don't mind the thought of another tortoise but I don't want any tortoise babies either. How do our experienced owners out there deal with this? How do you help your torts have a fulfilled life? Do you change their enclosures? --Thoughts?
After rereading my post I realize this may all sound rather silly but after seeing the wild redfoots in St. John I just hate for Claude not to have as good a life. We talk a lot about the physical needs of these wonderful creatures but can we talk mental for a bit!
I just feel sort of bad for him-like keeping him in this pen is not satisfying needs he has that are instinctual and because of that are incredibly strong. Would he be better off with a companion of some sort? The research I read before I got him pointed to them not really being social creatures and preferring to live alone. But his behavior just makes me wonder. Is there something I can do for his mental health? I don't mind the thought of another tortoise but I don't want any tortoise babies either. How do our experienced owners out there deal with this? How do you help your torts have a fulfilled life? Do you change their enclosures? --Thoughts?
After rereading my post I realize this may all sound rather silly but after seeing the wild redfoots in St. John I just hate for Claude not to have as good a life. We talk a lot about the physical needs of these wonderful creatures but can we talk mental for a bit!