Why does my tortoise keeps scratching the wall?

Question

My tortoise has been scratching at the wall for what seems like over a year now and it drives me nuts. He will usually scratch at the corner of his den until I turn off the tank light. My reasoning is that it might be getting too hot for him but I am not sure. What should I do if it is the heat situation? Get a bigger den? Thanks!

Answer 1

it probably just wants out

Answer 2

Tortoise set ups are funny.  Unlike other exotic pets like reptiles and amphibians, the tortoise needs a different type of care.   Tortoise tank should have a warm side and a cool side.  Both sides should have places where the tortoise can hide and feel secure.  This allows also a bigger variety of temperatures in the tank.  Yes a tortoise does need a larger than normal home.  Especially if he is a sulcata.  They get big.  As with any animal tortoises need exercise.   So the biggest option to them is to walk around their tank.  Tortoises are actually very smart.  They can become bord with their surroundings.  I recommend moving things around off and on, even their food.  This helps them as if they were foraging in their own natural environment.  My over all opinion is his tank is small and he is bord.

Answer 3

Try getting him out to walk around a little bit either inside or outside. If he seems bored with that try giving him a bath tortoises like to be clean mine likes a bath at least once a week. All you have to do is get some sort of container and fill it with a little warm water not hot not cold just warm water and let him soak in it for a little while. A suggestion for the type of container would be a plastic litter pan that's available at most dollar stores. Just remember to keep an eye on him and not to fill the water level to high or he could drown.

Answer 4

Bigger den sounds good. Let him out to roam for a while every day

Answer 5

Well if it's the heat, then turn it down a little, not to much though, or he could just be wanting to get out, meaning he wants you to give him some attention.

Answer 6

beacuse he want out and prolly nore room to walk around

Answer 7

Over a year??

What species is the tortoise? How old, what size is it? How big is the 'den'?

I presume your tort is in a glass viv? Tortoises do not understand the concept of glass - please set the tortoise free from that contraption and make an enclosure in the garden!

Answer 8

Free the little guy.  He wants freedom!

Answer 9

Most common reasons for scratching, bumping, pushing on a specific spot:

1. It equates it with food, a previous escape, or something that used to be there.

2. It cannot figure out why it cannot go past this point- glass, for example, confuses many animals.

3. It is trying to dig a burrow, either to make room, brumate (hibernate), or escape the heat/cold/dryness/dampness.

4. It is stressed by a small habitat. With tortoises, we recommend AT LEAST 100 square inches per inch of shell space, so a 6" tortoise would want 600 square inches, or about 12"x50" or so.

Not knowing the species or habitat set up makes it tough to help determine more details.

Try the forums at http://www.tortoiseforum.com for more ideas.

Answer 10

Is he in a clear glass tank?  If so, they don't understand why they can't get out.  Try changing him to a large rubbermade container that is not see through, or better yet - build him an outdoor enclosure.  Good luck to you and your tort!  :)

Answer 11

getting a larger den would definitely be in order,

After all, you are holding it captive and it wants to escape. Give it more room and if possible give it some play time on the lawn. I had a nine foot boa who loved to crawl around the lawn and play in the peach tree. Of course, this is only for the summer. Most tortoises will hibernate all winter if you let them.

A visit to your vet once a year would not be a bad idea.

Answer 12

mine did the same thing. he's bored with the space yo've provided for him and wants to try something new. change around the layout of his den or purchase new items for it. I take mine outside and let him crawl around at least once a day so he doesn't get bored.

Answer 13

maybe the wall just has an itch

Answer 14

he is scratching because he wants to crawl around outside or because he is really bored in his den. I have a yellow mud turtle who does the same thing! maybe if you let him free whether in your house or outside, he might stop scratching. let him/her get some fresh air!  if you dont let it crawl around he might try to runaway like mine did just this morning! you could also try to add new stuff to his den or just get a bigger one . if he's scratching the wall because its too hot then you could try to find him/her a better den that you can control the temperature in. then you could play around with the heat until you find a temperature that your tortoise likes! Good Luck!

Answer 15

the reason your tortoise is scratching a th the wall is beacause he wants to be FREE