Hey all! I'm new here, and need some help with my Russian Tortoise, Frankie. I got him in April 2015 and have loved caring for him. He's seemed to be very happy and content until recently. About a week ago, I changed out his substrate (ReptiBark) and added a tub to his previous enclosure to give him more room to wander around. He was okay for the first 12 hours or so, but then he kind of freaked out. He began digging and trying to climb up the walls of his enclosure. He would climb for hours at a time, even through the night. Then one night, about three nights ago, I checked on him after I had turned out his lights for the night, and he was sitting in his basking spot as if he was cold. So i turned it on and left it on at a lower power all night to keep him warm. But these last two days he has been very inactive. He hardly moves, and when he does, he moves very slowly and only to bask or eat. Wherever he stops, his legs are sprawled out and his eyes are closed. And if I take him out of his enclosure to socialize, he wont move at all, though he used to wander around like crazy... He does still eat pretty regularly. His diet consists of chopped iceburg lettuce, spinach, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, and his tortoise pellets. His enclosure is inside, and my house never gets below 60 degrees. His basking spot stays between 80 and 90 degrees for about 14 hours a day. The cooler end of his enclosure stays right around 70 degrees. However, I have read that sometimes Russian Tortoises hibernate, and was wondering if maybe the changing weather up here in Washington was triggering him to hibernate? Or do you guys think he's sick? I don't know what to do and I'm very worried about him!!! Please help me!! I want my Frankie back to himself!
Thanks for your help!
Carlie Mae
Thanks for your help!
Carlie Mae