We have patio garden no gaps ( well apart from one he tried and could not get through) hewas go eat 3pm yesterday so pulled fencing off where that gap was and just soil everywhere it's 5pm next day now gone out and gently raked earth - put leaves out - it's a damp day - called him - but nothing - we are behind a conservation area - really worried - any advice appreciated
One year old Horsfield missing
- Thread starter Dee54
- Start date
I am very sorry to hear of your loss.
As you have discovered the hard way, Russians are expert escape artists - very fast, excellent climbers and diggers.
The best time to search is first thing when you have full sun. Your tort must bask, so pay particular attention to sheltered areas in full sun. You can also try baiting those spots with irresistible treats like strawberry.
Beyond that circulate details to your neighbours, local vets, RSPCA and animal rescues. Use social media too.
Good luck.
As you have discovered the hard way, Russians are expert escape artists - very fast, excellent climbers and diggers.
The best time to search is first thing when you have full sun. Your tort must bask, so pay particular attention to sheltered areas in full sun. You can also try baiting those spots with irresistible treats like strawberry.
Beyond that circulate details to your neighbours, local vets, RSPCA and animal rescues. Use social media too.
Good luck.
Have you had any decent sunshine? We haven't in Kent. Nothing that Joe would bother basking in.
He's outside but powered by charges under his basking lamp which is in a dog kennel in the garden.
He's outside but powered by charges under his basking lamp which is in a dog kennel in the garden.
In the UK, the biggest risk would be a curious fox. I doubt a gull would bother him.
Chances are he's dug in under a bush or shrub and is perfectly OK. Don't give up hope. Russians are tough little tortoises and will dig a burrow if it gets too cold.
He will definitely emerge when the sun is shining to bask; he has to.
Chances are he's dug in under a bush or shrub and is perfectly OK. Don't give up hope. Russians are tough little tortoises and will dig a burrow if it gets too cold.
He will definitely emerge when the sun is shining to bask; he has to.
One year old is still pretty darned small. I wouldn't put it past being picked up and carried off by a bird.
Well we live on Barry Island by the seaside - I did see baby seagull circling above but thought nothing of it but just to be vigilant we were in our netted gazebo mind but would have seen it swoop down I'm sure - we also live behind a conservation area but plugged up ALL gaps so it's very odd - but still hopeful as there is a tortoise sanctuary -10 mins away
To be clear, there is no lawn or shrubbery on your patio but there is dirt?
I wouldn't be surprised if he escaped but I also wouldn't be surprised if he's dug down into your dirt leaving no obvious trace. They are fast diggers.
Do take the advice above about searching during sunny times. He is used to your patio/yard as "his" space and may not be far away.
I hope you find him soon.
I wouldn't be surprised if he escaped but I also wouldn't be surprised if he's dug down into your dirt leaving no obvious trace. They are fast diggers.
Do take the advice above about searching during sunny times. He is used to your patio/yard as "his" space and may not be far away.
I hope you find him soon.
I really don't think a bird or squirrels will be responsible - not even for a yearling - in this country.
A fox could easily pick him up and wander off with him. Keep looking, keep trying. Tomorrow is due to be warmer
Hopefully it won't take that long, but you may get a surprise in the spring if he's decided to dig in.
A fox could easily pick him up and wander off with him. Keep looking, keep trying. Tomorrow is due to be warmer
Hopefully it won't take that long, but you may get a surprise in the spring if he's decided to dig in.
The thing is behind the two fences with side of the shed ( shed has no gaps under it either) there is soil but wooden pallet with holes and shrubs etc and it is possible he has got through to the conservation wooded land behind but with difficulty as there are lots of stringy shrubs so cannot see how he would get through but you never know plus there's a 40 - 60 foot drop behind that it's been very warm and sunny today and no burrows found so we are gearing the worse - but like is aid the only gap he could have got through was smaller than him in width but he may have got through sideways but again with great difficulty
Maybe you can wet down the areas around your yard, including the conservation area and the neighbour's garden so that if he is there anywhere he won't get too dehydrated. Or maybe the watering will bring him out.
Well after reading a story online about a seagull attacking a 15 year old tortoise in Cornwall and reading about predators I actually am now starting to think he was picked up by a seagull/ crow or magpie which when I e looked out have been there at one time or another on the holly tree - when I went in to check dinner I heard a tick tick sound which I often heard the tortoise make my husband was three yards away from the tortoise in a netted gazebo it goes to show that certain birds do it quietly - as when I came back out into the garden I said to my husband where Raphael he said I'm just looking now - he's gone all within minutes
Ok, you seem to be pretty sure he was taken by a bird. Maybe. They do take baby sea turtles when they hatch out and are trying to make it to the sea. But...keep looking anyway and you just might find him and prove yourself wrong!
