why does my tortoise try to bury itself

[joan]

Everytime i take him outside he heads for piles of leaves n tries to bury himself. Also in his house he scrats at the floor like hes tryin to dig. Im just new to this so would welcome any advice

 

[Tom]

Sorry I can't open your thumbnail. What species and age?

It is fairly normal for some species to dig in both for security and for temperature regulation.

 

[T33's Torts]

Sorry I can't open your thumbnail. What species and age?

It is fairly normal for some species to dig in both for security and for temperature regulation.

Adult Russian, I believe!

 

[Yvonne G]

Your tortoise is afraid and is trying to hide from perceived threats. Once it gets used to that enclosure and learns that no bad is going to happen it will stop trying to hide all the time. They do 'dig in' at night, though, so it would give the tortoise peace of mind to have a substrate it can dig into at night.

 

[joan]

Sorry I can't open your thumbnail. What species and age?

It is fairly normal for some species to dig in both for security and for temperature regulation.

Hes a horesfield. Hes about three and ive only had him a few days. Should his lamp and light be on constantly. Ive been turning them off at night

 

[joan]

Your tortoise is afraid and is trying to hide from perceived threats. Once it gets used to that enclosure and learns that no bad is going to happen it will stop trying to hide all the time. They do 'dig in' at night, though, so it would give the tortoise peace of mind to have a substrate it can dig into at night.

What would you recommend. I only have layer of bark chippings currently

 

[Tom]

Your lights should be off at night. They need it dark, and this species benefits from cooler nights, so they don't need any night heat unless your house gets colder than 50 degrees F.

Here is a care sheet: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
And this might help too: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

 

[joan]

Your lights should be off at night. They need it dark, and this species benefits from cooler nights, so they don't need any night heat unless your house gets colder than 50 degrees F.

Here is a care sheet: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
And this might help too: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Thank you. In time al find out how this site works. Thanks for your help