I always thought my Hermann's tortoise, Elsa, was pretty laid back. I got her in November and she lived in her 4 ft x 3 ft indoor enclosure (she was 4.5 inches long then). Basically she would eat, bask, eat, bask and sleep.
But now that she's outside in her Summer Villa, which is 8 x 12, she's a different woman!!! She is still laid back, but anytime we go out to her Villa, we have to hunt to find her! She still eats and basks plenty, but she is often cruising gracefully around her enclosure- she's already worn a path in the grass all around the inner perimeter. Sometimes she just likes to be out sitting in a clump of deep grass- not even in the sun- just chillin'.
My hubby, who was originally puzzled by my wish to get a tortoise, has been enjoying watching her too. He noted that as she cruises around, she keeps her chin raised up and he thinks she uses her chin like the bow of a ship parting the waves (in this case, waves of high grass!). I thought that was a very poetic image!
Having seen this difference in her, I will DEFINITELY build her a bigger indoor enclosure for next winter. I can't make an 8 x 12 indoor enclosure, but I will certainly make it as big as I can. Size REALLY does make a difference in the quality of life for them!!!!
But now that she's outside in her Summer Villa, which is 8 x 12, she's a different woman!!! She is still laid back, but anytime we go out to her Villa, we have to hunt to find her! She still eats and basks plenty, but she is often cruising gracefully around her enclosure- she's already worn a path in the grass all around the inner perimeter. Sometimes she just likes to be out sitting in a clump of deep grass- not even in the sun- just chillin'.
My hubby, who was originally puzzled by my wish to get a tortoise, has been enjoying watching her too. He noted that as she cruises around, she keeps her chin raised up and he thinks she uses her chin like the bow of a ship parting the waves (in this case, waves of high grass!). I thought that was a very poetic image!
Having seen this difference in her, I will DEFINITELY build her a bigger indoor enclosure for next winter. I can't make an 8 x 12 indoor enclosure, but I will certainly make it as big as I can. Size REALLY does make a difference in the quality of life for them!!!!
