Can anyone suggest any leisure activities for turtles?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
S

SaltyNuts

Platinum Member
May 1, 2001
2,399
275
126
I have an African spur turtle. Supposed to get HUGE, they are the biggest turtles in the world that don't come from an island. But he is still quite small. Every day I hear him scratching and scratching to get out of his enclosure. Which is some small plastic container about the size of a cat litter box (maybe a bit smaller). He just goes round and round it, scratching, trying to get out.

One thing I need to do is get him a bigger one. But I'm sure he is just going to keep doing that same thing over and over again. So can anyone suggest any leisure activities I can have him do that might keep him sane and not going round and round the enclosure scratching like that? Something to keep his body and mind busy. I was thinking like a hampster wheel? But I have no clue whether that would amuse a turtle even in the least.

Thanks for any help.
 
IronWing

IronWing

No Lifer
Jul 20, 2001
68,019
25,101
136
1) They like to fight. Get him another male.
2) They like to hump. Get him a round rock of his size to hump.
 
pete6032

pete6032

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2010
7,279
2,850
136
Give your tortoise a spa day with a nice soapy bath with handmade soap.
 
Last edited:
MrSquished

MrSquished

Lifer
Jan 14, 2013
19,887
18,340
136
Send him to his natural habitat - if it's far, take a flight with him, put it on YouTube. Obviously being caged is driving it nuts, it's just not right. There was a piece on NPR today about this orca kept in a tank for 50 years now, so small compared to it's size, it's just torture for the poor thing. At least animals raised to be eaten don't suffer that long, although we really need to curb back factory farming, let meat prices go up, and eating less of it, but that's another story.
 
BoomerD

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
62,086
10,269
136
SaltyNuts said:
I have an African spur turtle. Supposed to get HUGE, they are the biggest turtles in the world that don't come from an island. But he is still quite small. Every day I hear him scratching and scratching to get out of his enclosure. Which is some small plastic container about the size of a cat litter box (maybe a bit smaller). He just goes round and round it, scratching, trying to get out.

One thing I need to do is get him a bigger one. But I'm sure he is just going to keep doing that same thing over and over again. So can anyone suggest any leisure activities I can have him do that might keep him sane and not going round and round the enclosure scratching like that? Something to keep his body and mind busy. I was thinking like a hampster wheel? But I have no clue whether that would amuse a turtle even in the least.

Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
pete6032 said:
Give your tortoise a spa day with a nice soapy bath with handmade soap.
Click to expand...

start with a nice hot bath...about 180 degrees for 45 minutes should do it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: highland145
BudAshes

BudAshes

Lifer
Jul 20, 2003
13,900
3,158
146
They get to be 200lbs. Have fun with that. My guess is you won't be able to handle it and you will try to pawn it off on someone else when it gets too big.
 
purbeast0

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
52,657
5,551
126
Speaking of turtles, finally got some pics off my goPro from a couple weeks ago.

A6Y8c9U.jpg


fpdNW3N.jpg


IftHGMu.jpg


Reference pic for size of this turtle.

MMfSlHz.jpg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: Spacehead, Red Squirrel, bbhaag and 2 others
T

Tormac

Senior member
Feb 3, 2011
250
46
91
To the OP:

Have you considered getting a motorcycle with a sidecar? The two of you could have adventures exploring the Amish country, tasting cheese and fresh produce.
 
Jon-T

Jon-T

Senior member
Jun 5, 2011
459
265
136
Do you have a robo vac like a Roomba? If so strap him on top.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom