Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could help. I have a 2 year old horsfield tortoise and i think shes a girls (but not sure). Iv bought her from the tortoise shop last november, keep her in a wooden pen with both a heat lamp and a UVB bulb. I havn't hibernated her this year and she is bathed almost everyday.

In the past week she has been staying in her house and has not been coming to eat or walk around. But when i take her out, block the door and leave her in her pen she is very active and eats. He nose and eyes are both dry and she isn't making any strange noises. Is there any reason why she won't come out on her own?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Melodie

Hi Melodie,

Welcome to the site.  As you say your horsfield is too young to sex yet.   It sounds as though your set up is ok, one thing you could check is that the temperatures under the basking spot are between 30-35C and the rest of the enclosure is around 20c.  If the temps are too hot as it gets in vivariums then torts do go sleepy its called aestivation as opposed to hibernation in the winter.  On the other hand if its not warm enough she cannot heat up enough to become active.

Keep bathing her as you dont want her to dyhydrate.

It would be nice to see some photo's of her in her enclosure and we can tell if there is any other factors that could be causing the sleepyness.  Also, remember when at all possible on warm or sunny days get her outside in the sun, this works wonders for them.

Regards Vivienne