Hi Finbob
I think we can all identify with how you are feeling right now. First of all, are you confident that his run is secure enough or is there somewhere he can escape? Horsfields are excellent climbers, but even better diggers. If you have been keeping him on shallow substrate indoors then it is very likely that he has tunneled underground to get away from the bad weather. I find the worst ones for doing this are those that have been kept indoors before they came here lol. At 5 years of age he can easily take care of himself just the same as an adult. Unless there is anywhere he could have climbed out,such as a corner with footholds, then I would like to bet he has tunneled down somewhere until temperatures have improved.The only problem with this is that, being a horsfield he could have gone quite a way and may well come up on the other side so to speak. Do you have pictures of his pen so that people keeping horsfields are able to give their opinions as to escape tactics.
Have a look here to see what the little monkeys are capable of
http://www.tortsmad.com/russians.htm
Try not to worry, he will likely be dug down somewhere. I find it easier to find them on my hands and knees so that I can feel around for soft soil where he may have dug down. If it's any consolation, two of mine have not come in tonight and I am sure I am not going to go out and search for them as it has started to rain. They will pop back up in the morning as soon as the sun comes out. Put a treat out for him and see if it is taken in the morning.
Good luck
hello ive just signed into this site because i have a large problem we have one horsefield tortoise and i put it in its pen outside went out for a walk and now its gone. We have searched everywhere probably 3 times and cant find it anywhere. My first concern is its only 5 yrs old so im not sure it will survive the nighttime temperatures yet and how can i lure it back? My garden is 45 metres long so its proving to be a very difficult job whats the phrase looking for a needle in a haystack. Any advice would be welcolmed please.
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(05-01-2010 08:54 PM)wizzasmum Wrote: [ -> ]Hi Finbob
I think we can all identify with how you are feeling right now. First of all, are you confident that his run is secure enough or is there somewhere he can escape? Horsfields are excellent climbers, but even better diggers. If you have been keeping him on shallow substrate indoors then it is very likely that he has tunneled underground to get away from the bad weather. I find the worst ones for doing this are those that have been kept indoors before they came here lol. At 5 years of age he can easily take care of himself just the same as an adult. Unless there is anywhere he could have climbed out,such as a corner with footholds, then I would like to bet he has tunneled down somewhere until temperatures have improved.The only problem with this is that, being a horsfield he could have gone quite a way and may well come up on the other side so to speak. Do you have pictures of his pen so that people keeping horsfields are able to give their opinions as to escape tactics.
Have a look here to see what the little monkeys are capable of http://www.tortsmad.com/russians.htm
Try not to worry, he will likely be dug down somewhere. I find it easier to find them on my hands and knees so that I can feel around for soft soil where he may have dug down. If it's any consolation, two of mine have not come in tonight and I am sure I am not going to go out and search for them as it has started to rain. They will pop back up in the morning as soon as the sun comes out. Put a treat out for him and see if it is taken in the morning.
Good luck
hello ive just signed into this site because i have a large problem we have one horsefield tortoise and i put it in its pen outside went out for a walk and now its gone. We have searched everywhere probably 3 times and cant find it anywhere. My first concern is its only 5 yrs old so im not sure it will survive the nighttime temperatures yet and how can i lure it back? My garden is 45 metres long so its proving to be a very difficult job whats the phrase looking for a needle in a haystack. Any advice would be welcolmed please.
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hi thanks for the advice sue we have dug out all its pen to no luck i think it might of climbed out so everytime we are in the garden we are searching for it. the weather is quite cool at the moment so i think it might have burrowed down we have posted leaflets through neighbours doors so hopefully anyone mowing will look out for it. I dont think there is anything else i can do thankyou again
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hi thanks for the advice sue we have dug out all its pen to no luck i think it might of climbed out so everytime we are in the garden we are searching for it. the weather is quite cool at the moment so i think it might have burrowed down we have posted leaflets through neighbours doors so hopefully anyone mowing will look out for it. I dont think there is anything else i can do thankyou again
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Well, fingers crossed. He might have gone quite deep as there are low temps foprecast for tonight and tomorrow night. Keep leaving him treats out and when the weather improves he should appear. Good idea letting the neighbours know to, so they will keep an eye out for you.
Hi Finbob welcome to tortoise world. Sorry to hear that your tortoise has gone missing. Sue is 100% right where horsfields are concerned. I to have had to spend time on my hands and knees trying to dig 1 out. I think he will turn up when the sun comes out. Some people have had torts go missing for 6 months or more for them to turn up again. I think the same as Sue hes more than likely burrowed down somewhere. You are worried sick and hes nice and cosy in some burrow somewhere fast asleep. Let us know how you get on.
(05-02-2010 07:14 PM)TICKANDTOCK Wrote: [ -> ]Hi Finbob welcome to tortoise world. Sorry to hear that your tortoise has gone missing. Sue is 100% right where horsfields are concerned. I to have had to spend time on my hands and knees trying to dig 1 out. I think he will turn up when the sun comes out. Some people have had torts go missing for 6 months or more for them to turn up again. I think the same as Sue hes more than likely burrowed down somewhere. You are worried sick and hes nice and cosy in some burrow somewhere fast asleep. Let us know how you get on.
I lost my Zippah for 6 months. Little devil namaged to break though wire underground in September and didn't reappear until March - mind you it's a good job he did or he would not have been deep enough, oh then I would have found him wouldn't I, duh! Seriously he was fine Finbob and hardly any lighter than when he went down.
Hi, it must be such a worry for you. I regularly hear of experiences like mentioned above - missing for some time and reappearing just fine, they show no consideration for the stress their owners go through!
Fingers crossed yours will show once the weather picks up, which will probably be tuesday, right after the bank holiday!
oh you must be frantic - Ive got my fingers crossed for you.
HES FOUND :] I GOT BACK FROM MY COLLEGE COURSE TODAY AND MY NEIGHBOUR SHOUTED OVER THAT HE FOUND HIM IN THEIR GARDEN YIPEEE. I HAD A FEELING IT WOULD COME OUT TODAY AS ITS ALOT WARMER I AM NOW GOING TO KEEP HIM INSIDE UNTIL WE HAVE BUILT A TORTOISE PROOF ENCLOSURE MY SON WILL BE RELIEVED WHEN I PICK HIM UP FROM SCHOOL. THANKYOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR ADVICE AND SYMPATHY. IM SO HAPPY I CAN NOW GROW MY TORTOISE SEEDS WHICH I WAS HOLDING BACK FROM.
Great stuff. I'm so glad you found him. They are harder than you think. I bet hes been having a whale of a time while you have been worried sick. Post some pictures of him we would love to see him.