Re: Testudo graeca avoiding sunlight

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Posted by Annie Lancaster on August 31, 2000 at 18:49:57:

In Reply to: Testudo graeca avoiding sunlight posted by Vicente on August 29, 2000 at 03:24:48:

Hi,

It is normal behavior, if a juvenile tortoise, to want to find a hiding place and stick to it, young tortoises have an instinct to do so in order to keep from being a snack for a predator, for Testudo species this behavior may last as long as 3-4 years. It never disappears completely even into adulthood, but for juveniles it's sort of a way of life.

If this tortoise is otherwise eating and behaving normally, is outdoors and can thermoregulate, it will still get benefits of true sunlight even if in the shade, which is still better than any UVB bulb on the market can provide.

Make certain this tortoise is on a diet free of fruits, high in fiber, plenty of grasses, etc., avoiding grocery store produce. Inactivity can be also caused by a bad diet.

If you see any other symptoms, i.e. excessive thirst, failure to eat, bloating, etc. get the tortoise *immediately* to a veterinarian for a full check up.

If not done already, a fecal flotation as well as direct smear should be dene in case there is a parasite load present. Many people think a captive bred animal cannot have parasites, which is not true.

Hope this helps,

Annie Lancaster
Director, TortoiseAid
Apple Valley, CA
http://www.tortoiseaid.org
http://turtlestuff.com

: Hello there all,

: My young tort is placed n the sunlight daily, however, I find that she will run straight for the shade. The temp. here is about 87 in direct sunlight, and 78 or so in the shade. I'm concerned that she is not getting valuable sunlight.

: Also, in her indoor pen, she spends a lot of time under the hiding place, out of range of the Active UV heat bulb. Temps indoor are about 82 in basking area, and 78 in shade.

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: Hi, : It is normal behavior, if a juvenile tortoise, to want to find a hiding place and stick to it, young tortoises have an instinct to do so in order to keep from being a snack for a predator, for Testudo species this behavior may last as long as 3-4 years. It never disappears completely even into adulthood, but for juveniles it's sort of a way of life. : If this tortoise is otherwise eating and behaving normally, is outdoors and can thermoregulate, it will still get benefits of true sunlight even if in the shade, which is still better than any UVB bulb on the market can provide. : Make certain this tortoise is on a diet free of fruits, high in fiber, plenty of grasses, etc., avoiding grocery store produce. Inactivity can be also caused by a bad diet. : If you see any other symptoms, i.e. excessive thirst, failure to eat, bloating, etc. get the tortoise *immediately* to a veterinarian for a full check up. : If not done already, a fecal flotation as well as direct smear should be dene in case there is a parasite load present. Many people think a captive bred animal cannot have parasites, which is not true. : Hope this helps, : Annie Lancaster : Director, TortoiseAid : Apple Valley, CA : http://www.tortoiseaid.org : http://turtlestuff.com : : Hello there all, : : My young tort is placed n the sunlight daily, however, I find that she will run straight for the shade. The temp. here is about 87 in direct sunlight, and 78 or so in the shade. I'm concerned that she is not getting valuable sunlight. : : Also, in her indoor pen, she spends a lot of time under the hiding place, out of range of the Active UV heat bulb. Temps indoor are about 82 in basking area, and 78 in shade.

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