>> I have her inside in a 55 gallon with two heat lamps, a cave, and a UV light. She's going crazy because she wants to get out



1) You can't put her back outside this time of year in Ohio. Temps will drop well below freezing, and only under the best circumstances would she survive. That would involve a dry area with a deep layer of soil that would allow her to dig below the frost line. I doubt you have it. I know I don't and bring my torts in usually around late Sept or October. The odds of an outdoor hibernation spot being both deep enough and adequately protected from flooding are low. If you want to hibernate her, assuming you've had her for over a year and she's healthy, the go to www.tortoisetrust.org or www.russiantortoise.org and read up on indoor hibernation using a cold spot in the house or a refrigerator.



2) As for her trying to crawl through the walls, I don't think it has anything to do with the enclosure being glass. She went from having 24 sq ft to roam and now she has about 6 sq ft. She feels cramped. Plus, you *might* be overheating her. Two heat lamps over such a small space might be too much. Make sure she has a warm spot of about 90 at one end, and down to room temps at the other end (60s to 70s). If it's all hot she'll try to find a cooler spot - thus the wall climbing. Check the temps.



Normally russians are slowing down this time of year. While you don't have to hibernate her, you can cut back on the amount of heat and light she gets. Maybe turn the lights on only 10 hours a day, and later only 8. Then bring them back up in the spring. She'll slow down a little, maybe even sleep a lot.



Be sure she is healthy to begin with. If she shows any signs of respiratory illness (runny nose) or has diahrrea, worms, etc., then you'll have to keep her warm and take her to a vet.



Good luck.

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