Its a Warm One Today !

Good morning from me, Mango!

The second my enclosure door opens, I’m up like a shot. I lift my head, stretch my neck, and take a long, thoughtful sniff of the air. It’s the tortoise way of checking the day, the scents tell me if it’s cool, warm, damp, or dry, and I like to know what I’m dealing with before breakfast.

It's me, Mango!

Now, you might know my brother Teal. He’s a gentle soul, prefers a slow start and a quiet corner. We don’t share an enclosure because two males together can spell trouble. A little bit of space keeps everyone happier.

Me, though? I’m an explorer. First thing in the morning, I like to make a lap or two of my enclosure. I’ll test the ground, see where the warm patches are, and make sure no leaf or pebble has dared to move overnight.

Then it’s basking time. Basking isn’t just lounging; it’s how I charge my batteries. Tortoises are cold-blooded, so we rely on sunlight to warm us up and get our bodies moving. Sometimes I’ll start in one sunny spot and then move to another as the light shifts. It’s all about finding that perfect temperature.

Once I’m nicely warmed through, my legs are springy, my shell feels toasty, and I’m ready for the next adventure, usually breakfast, but sometimes a bit of rock climbing first. Every good enclosure should have a climbing challenge or two. It keeps me fit, stretches my muscles, and, honestly, it’s just fun.

So that’s my morning. A little sniff of the air, a lap around the place, a few shifts between basking spots, and a climb for good measure. I’ll check back in soon. Until then, keep your shell sunny side up.