Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I tried the ol' google.com but after 10 minutes it became clear how difficult it is to phrase this search properly...

I live on the 3rd floor of an apartment building with an eastern facing balcony. Today is a beautiful clear and sunny day so naturally Keishon - my adult male Russian tortoise - just HAD to go out on the balcony for a little sun and fresh air.

The balcony has a rail but the spacing from the deck to the rail is just gapped enough to let him walk right off the ledge if he chose to. So far, he knows to walk right to the edge, plop right down on his shell with feet stretched out in all four directions and peer his stretched neck and head out to look down and around at all the happenings going on below and on the busy street below.

My question is, even though he hasn't tried to make a jump for it, and he doesn't seem depressed, will my little trooper ever stupidly walk off the ledge? Are tortoises known for cliff diving? The worst thing that can happen is he'd fall into a big bush below but still I don't think I'd want him falling 3 stories.

Is it safe to let him hang out on the deck without fear of him becoming a lemming? Has anyone else allowed their Russian males to play on their balconies (without supervision) without worrying that he'll jump off the ledge? He usually just comes back to the door and walks inside when he's sick of being outside. Like a cat, really. I should build him a tortoise door.

And if you haven't seen this yet, it's very funny:
http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/dog-rides-a-turtle/20dbqodn

Thanks gang!

=the infamous kaspar carr=

p.s. I picked up Keishon today and noticed he has a bluetooth MAC address sticker on his underside shell. That's good because I've been trying to figure out how I was going to pair him with my bluetooth headset and Motorola Droid. now I can finally sync my Russian Tortoise contacts and calendar with my work email. =P
dog rides on a tortoise

I had a box turtle that would throw itself off of a 6" ledge.

Repeatedly.

I'd say it's not worth the risk. He could drop straight through the bushes and hit the ground very hard, resulting in death or severe injuries.

By some small boards or plastic edging that you can use to block off the area and keep him from walking off the edge.

Good call. I was thinking of lining the edge with potted plants, actually.. and leaving one spot - underneath a plant stand - open but lined with screen so as to protect him from walking off the ledge yet still allowing him to see the world from "his" balcony.

Plus, that would solve the shade issue since that little guy moves QUICKLY when he's got a case of hot foot going on from the sun-heated wooden deck surface.

Any advice on attractive outdoor non-toxic plants? ivies, vines, flowers, ferns, leafy plants, lush greens?

thanks again!

Here's a link that lists edible plants including flowers that you might use:

tortoise.org/general/edibplan.html

I know this is old, but for reference sake...

My redfoot knew about heights. for a while he was scared of black surfaces. We had a black coffee table and he wouldnt get off the paper towel without investigating it with his snout first.

In my experience, your tort should be ok as long as he can tell its a long drop down. And as long as he can see. We've had some mishaps almost happen when our tortoise was in reverse