As a behaviorist I was blessed with the ability to get into the mind of animals that I am raising. Unlike most people (including tortoise holders) think, tortoises have a sensitive shell cover, that enables them to perceive tactile stimuli.
Thus, it is clear from the many years that I am raising tortoises, that holding them without the ability to enter below a cover such as a pile of hay, results in stress and behavioral modifications.
Since I had the opportunity to treat many tortoises with Upper Respiratory Disease in my Vet clinic, it was clear that hay is not the ideal material under which animals should hide since any touch with it leads to small plant material to separate from the pile and get into the animal respiratory system, eventually leading to breathing problems.
I therefore developed a method to allow tortoises that seek a cover to enter and hide and avoid breathing problems.
Shredded newspaper can be collected in a “Ball-Like” manner and hang at the corners of a cage or a tortoise yard (Image 1). People that follow my design will notice an immediate change in the tortoise behavior and a clear preference for such a hide.
Thus, it is clear from the many years that I am raising tortoises, that holding them without the ability to enter below a cover such as a pile of hay, results in stress and behavioral modifications.
Since I had the opportunity to treat many tortoises with Upper Respiratory Disease in my Vet clinic, it was clear that hay is not the ideal material under which animals should hide since any touch with it leads to small plant material to separate from the pile and get into the animal respiratory system, eventually leading to breathing problems.
I therefore developed a method to allow tortoises that seek a cover to enter and hide and avoid breathing problems.
Shredded newspaper can be collected in a “Ball-Like” manner and hang at the corners of a cage or a tortoise yard (Image 1). People that follow my design will notice an immediate change in the tortoise behavior and a clear preference for such a hide.
Covers made of shredded newspaper placed in a yard of desert tortoises.
Image 1. Covers made of shredded newspaper placed in a yard of desert tortoises.
Similarly, I am placing such covers in glass terrarium where some of the tortoises are raised indoor during the winter season.
It is crucial to make the following notice as a warning:
Do NOT use shredded Newspaper as covers or for other purpose in a cage that you heat with heaters or with ceramic bulbs- (or other heat source that can cause fire) They will cause a fire in the paper!!!
I had a situation where a ceramic bulb lit a fire in paper- Be careful and follow my recommendation. I never had a problem using paper near light bulbs BUT make sure to monitor it first and never place paper near anything that can cause fire.
Do NOT use shredded Newspaper as covers or for other purpose in a cage that you heat with heaters or with ceramic bulbs- (or other heat source that can cause fire) They will cause a fire in the paper!!!
I had a situation where a ceramic bulb lit a fire in paper- Be careful and follow my recommendation. I never had a problem using paper near light bulbs BUT make sure to monitor it first and never place paper near anything that can cause fire.
The International Center for Tortoise Conservation 