Outdoor Playpen Problems

[Melissa Butler]

Just bought Alfie an outdoor playpen from ZooMed and he hates it! He's been prowling back and forth like a caged lion and keep trying to poke his head through the bars. Is this normal? Will he get used to it?

 

[Melissa Butler]

Here a pic of Alfie trying to stick his head and feet through the bars.

 

[mike taylor]

Put something around the bottom. If he can see out he'll keep trying to get out . Its a new area he will run around and make it his . Tortoises don't like change .

 

[Eduardo Hernandez]

Just wondering, are you sure your tort is a Hermanns? Seems a lot like a Russian to me...

 

[Tom]

This is just one of the reasons why I don't like those.

Tortoises need a visual barrier and that enclosure is way too small for an adult russian. I would return it to the store and check this out for other ideas:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/cheap-easy-simple-sunning-enclosure.14680/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/simple-sunning-enclosure.104351/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...table-but-safe-outdoor-baby-enclosures.30683/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/outdoor-enclosures.121732/

 

[Melissa Butler]

Just wondering, are you sure your tort is a Hermanns? Seems a lot like a Russian to me...

The breeder I bought him from said he was a Hermann's. How can I tell the difference?

 

[Melissa Butler]

This is just one of the reasons why I don't like those.

Tortoises need a visual barrier and that enclosure is way too small for an adult russian. I would return it to the store and check this out for other ideas:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/cheap-easy-simple-sunning-enclosure.14680/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/simple-sunning-enclosure.104351/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...table-but-safe-outdoor-baby-enclosures.30683/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/outdoor-enclosures.121732/

These are great suggestions! Thank you. I love the different types of enclosures.

 

[Eduardo Hernandez]

The breeder I bought him from said he was a Hermann's. How can I tell the difference?

If you post more pictures of your tort's plastron and carapace we will be able to determine. Its mostly just shell patterns that differs between them.

 

[teresaf]

Isn't Russian and Herman's the same animal? I think it is just two names for the same tortoise. Ugh! Evidently not.

 

[leigti]

Isn't Russian and Herman's the same animal? I think it is just two names for the same tortoise. Ugh! Evidently not.

Definitely not. Although the care is very similar.

 

[teresaf]

Definitely not. Although the care is very similar.

What is the other name for a Russian or is there one? I just answered my own question...
HORSFIELD. duh. I'm such a ditz.

 

[leigti]

What is the other name for a Russian or is there one? I just answered my own question...
HORSFIELD. duh. I'm such a ditz.

It's OK. I still get messed up when people say they have a spur thigh tortoise.

 

[teresaf]

The breeder I bought him from said he was a Hermann's. How can I tell the difference?

DEFINITELY a Russian, also known as a HORSFIELD. Not even close to a hermann...

 

[Raymo2477]

Russians are diggers so that type of play pen could result in a lost tortoise.

 

[Taylor T.]

That is definitely a Russian tortoise. What breeder did you acquire him from?

 

[Melissa Butler]

That is definitely a Russian tortoise. What breeder did you acquire him from?

Backwater Reptiles

 

[Melissa Butler]

If you post more pictures of your tort's plastron and carapace we will be able to determine. Its mostly just shell patterns that differs between them.

Thank you for your input. What do you think? Hermann's or Russian?

 

[Melissa Butler]

Russians are diggers so that type of play pen could result in a lost tortoise.

Thank you. I'll be switching him to the plastic pool soon!

 

[Melissa Butler]

Backwater Reptiles

We had a hatchling Hermann's tort die and we recieved Alfie as a replacement. The breeder has been very kind, helpful and responsive so I don't want to give them a bad wrap. Just wondering what type of tort Alfie is.

 

[Melissa Butler]

Thank you for your input. What do you think? Hermann's or Russian?

View attachment 211687 View attachment 211688

Shell is close to 4" long. How old do you think he is?