I have two 4 week old Horsfield hatchlings.  I have both indoor and outdoor enclosures but they do not seem very active in either enclosure.  I realise they are still very young but wonder if I should be concerned that they seem to want to sleep all the time. 

Hi Jane

What light and heat system are you using, and at what temperature

Jane

I have a combined heat/uvb lamp which I bought from the breeder.  The temp directly under it is approx 90 deg - they have a fairly large indoor enclosure with a seperate covered area for sleeping - which they are usually in.

Hi Jane

The temperature that I was adviced to aim for was 28-30c max (82-86 degrees) directly under the heat lamp and the cooler area 22c (72 degrees). I was asking the temps because if they had been too low then their energy levels would be low which makes them very slow moving, I call Keya my little solar powered tort because she speeds up when once she is warm. But as the temps are quite hot maybe they are going into estivation which they can do if really temps really hot, try adjusting the temps..What do others think?

Good luck

Jane

Hi Jane

4 week old horsfields should be fairly active; although they are weather dependant and even when lamps are on they do tend to be less active on cooler days.  30°C under the lamp and 20°C at the cooler end should be absolutely fine for them.  What substrate are you using and are they in a table top arrangement I can't remember if you told us? 

Have you had a chance to look at the care sheet on this Web site under the heading 'The Tortoise'? 

My Russian hatchlings are not doing much at present if that helps.

Helen    

I know a few russian keepers having the same problems at the moment.........they don't seem to like this spell of bad weather at all.

Jo

Hi

I realise this thread is from a while ago now but am hoping I can get some advice as I'm new to owing a baby Tortoise.
I got my Teddy last week, So am not too sure what activity I should expect from him, Silly I know to ask but I don't know what to expect. My baby seems to like the lamp alot. Well he comes out to eat in the morning once he's warmed up, but once he's eaten he goes back to the rocks under the lamp. He also digs down too into the soil. I think digging down is normal. But he doesn't seem to do that much. Is this normal activity? I feel a bit worried, Should I be worried? Please could someone put my mind to rest:)
I bathe him in warm water each morning too, which he seems to be happy with, lively then.

Hi,

His behaviour is completely normal. Tortoises whether young or old will naturally slow down abit this time of year, both my babies are less active and will only be awake and active for a few hours a day, this will pass once the weather warms up. As long as Teddy is eating and bathed regularly he will be fine :-)

Ali

Hi Ali

Thank you for coming back to me, Phew! Thats a real relief :) I was starting to think he might be unwell, Yes he eats well and I bathe him every morning, which we both enjoy :) Thanks Claire