Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 3-4 month old cherryhead who sleeps in his hide all of the time. I have to wake him to eat and soakings. He will eat a little bit and go right back to his hide. He never walks around basks or drinks from his water dish. I hope he is okay. I have taken him outside a few times and he will walk around then for a while. My next question is it better to keep only one tortoise or should I consider getting another? Maybe if he had some kind of interaction it would help him become more active. Thanks for your time
Derrick

I'd suggest getting him to a vet for a fecal. There's a good chance he has parasites.

Redfoots are normally active and out going. The behavior you describe is usually an indication that something is wrong.

>>I have a 3-4 month old cherryhead who sleeps in his hide all of the time. I have to wake him to eat and soakings. He will eat a little bit and go right back to his hide. He never walks around basks or drinks from his water dish. I hope he is okay. I have taken him outside a few times and he will walk around then for a while. My next question is it better to keep only one tortoise or should I consider getting another? Maybe if he had some kind of interaction it would help him become more active. Thanks for your time
>>Derrick
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

I made an appointment and taking him in today for a fecal. I will let you know how it goes. I appreciate your advice so much!
Thank you
Derrick

Got a fecal done today and it is negative and the vet looked at him and said he looked healthy and clear bright eyed.

I think what you are describing is perfectly normal. I've had redfoots for over 24 years and at first, meaning the first year or two, they can be quite shy. As long as they seem to be eating and gaining weight I wouldn't worry. My current two guys(?) are a year old and some days they will sleep in the entire day but if you look in their hide they are wide awake and watching. They do not like bright light and I rarely see them use a basking light unless its too cold and then they use it for warmth but if the room is warm enought mine never go under the light. The often come out to eat in the eve in dim lighting.
As far as more than one everyone has a different opinion. My guys (?) are best buddies. If one comes out to feed the other comes out right behind him. I have two hides in the enclosure and if one goes in to sleep the other will look in a hide and if he doesn't find his buddy he will exit and go across the enclosure to look in the other hide. Then if he finds him he will settle in. They have been together most of their lives.
Tom