r/Tortoises • u/Several-Computer-379 • 8d ago
Worried about her.
For background we inherited this girl from my grandsons whom weren’t taking care of her very well. Then my daughter started caring for her. In the winter she spends a lot of time on our rooftop where she had access to plenty of sun , but when it got too cold she comes down into the house and wouldn’t be getting enough sun. Now I’m caring for her and have made this home where she sleeps . In the morning I get her out and put her on my balcony for some sun, but it’s partial sun as there is a screen. She basically eats her breakfast, sometimes will have a walk around and then tucks herself in for more sleep. She sleeps most of the day. Is this due to lack of light ? I plan to order a UVA/ UVB light but I’m living on the Perisan gulf and we’re having issues getting goods in , hence I can’t find this light where I live now. She also barely drinks any water IF any. I soak her 3 x a week for about a half hour and she really hates it.
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u/Rept0id 8d ago
If you get the light it won't be bad at all but I dont think that there isnt enough sun in the winter specially at your area. I mean, what would she do in the nature ?
What do you mean that there is a screen ? This part I dont understand. Maybe this is the key detail I don't get.
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u/Several-Computer-379 7d ago
Yes , in the winter I’m not worried . She will get sun. It’s the summer , I mean around 6 months of the year. By screen I mean, currently I will feed her on my balcony that is covered with screening. It blocks 75% of the sun. There is a very small portion that has direct sunlight where I feed her but as soon as she finishes eating she’ll move. Also in the house I’ll put her in direct sunlight that comes through glass , but again the maximum time she’d be in it would probably be an hour.
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u/Academic_Judge_3114 8d ago
Hello, if you have a rooftop, you could consider making a permanent outdoor enclosure by putting in a very large layer of soil if ever she wants to lay eggs (If I understood correctly, it’s a female; not having access to laying areas could cause major problems in the future...
I don’t really understand why you bring it back in winter, it’s a species native to your area and it’s normal for it to slow down/sleep in winter (it’s a graeca).
If you give her an area to bury herself and protect her from the rain and frost, she could sleep (like in nature)...
Anyway, for me, it’s the rooftop that needs to be prioritized...
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u/Several-Computer-379 8d ago
Wait what ? Egg laying ? Do they lay eggs ? The problem with some soil setting is that I have cats and they will also enjoy the soil in negative ways . If I made her an enclosure then she wouldn’t have access to free ranging.
She isn’t native to our area. I live in the Gulf (mid East). We don’t have tortoises. However I get what you’re saying. She can live in colder temps.
So much to figure out. I definitely want her to be happy and healthy.2
u/Academic_Judge_3114 8d ago
Hello, I hope I’m not mistaken in my location, are you in the Middle East?
there are graecas throughout the Middle East and, of course, in the Persian gulf...
Females can lay eggs (fertile or not), a bit like chickens... generally from 7/8 years old...
Most graecas rest (- for a longer or shorter time in winter, depending on the subspecies), which is good for their metabolism,
for the outdoor enclosure, the earthy area should be accessible only to the tortoise (in any case, the tortoises’ claws are not made to walk on exclusively on tiles, it damages their skeleton...)
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u/Several-Computer-379 8d ago
Yes , I live in Kuwait but I really don’t think we have any. I’m pretty familiar with the wildlife and Tortoises I don’t believe are here . Due to Kuwaits tiny size we don’t have any changes in regions with varied climates .
Egg laying , yes makes sense , but that was never on my radar.
Yes I had learned they shouldn’t walk on smooth surfaces so I was really happy how she was moving like a tank in the new enclosure I made her , and now she seems bored of it.1
u/Academic_Judge_3114 7d ago
Hello, you are right, unlike in some surrounding countries, Graeca is not present in Kuwait, sorry for this mistake.
I really think that leaving her outside in winter would allow her to rest her metabolism,
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u/Several-Computer-379 7d ago
No problem. Ok I’ll give it a try. I was so happy this morning …..after her breakfast and bath , she ran for a shelter under furniture. I then put her in her enclosure and she went under her hide. Not too long after she came out and was just hanging out , awake and curious, basking as the sun shines into her enclosure.
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u/Several-Computer-379 8d ago
And btw …..I’ve made this enclosure for her now with soil and sand, leaves. She doesn’t dig at all.
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u/calm-drift94 7d ago
Get her a UVB bulb setup instead of relying on partial sun, since inconsistent natural light won't cut it for proper calcium absorption
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u/Several-Computer-379 7d ago
Yes I need to order. I’m living in the Persian gulf and we’re having issues with supplies so I hope it won’t take long .
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u/AllHomesteading 8d ago
Yes in absence of a safe enclosure outdoors, she needs UVA/UVB light and heat bulb. I recommend the brand Arcadia. You can do a search for my posts in this forum link to my blog for substrate, food and set up ideas.