don't be worried yet... i freaked out when my first tort wouldn't eat for a few days, but then she settled in and now she's a piggy. you wouldn't believe how long they can go without eating and still survive. he might just need more time to acclimate himself to his new surroundings!
Thanks guys,
He has a UVB bulb but because the attachment is a bit high, his basking spot is about 21.5c is this far too low? Am going to set him up in a different place i think...xxx
Ok...tried him with the tiniest bit of cherry tomato in his food...and he practically ran at it! Hopefully he will move on to the dandilion leaves next...xxx
Like the rest said, don't start panicking yet about him not eating.
Torts do seem to really love their 'maters, but they really aren't the best food for them. Every now and then, but not often. It's nice this time, because it has relieved some of your anxiety about him not eating.
You are feeling better right?
Definatley! He won't be getting them often tho! He's squirted tomato juice on his leaves so hopfully he might eat those now! Have just weighed and measured him and he's 90mm and 120 grammes. He looks healthy and is very active so hopefully i can put my mind at rest now! Thanks for everybody's advice...no doubt i will need more soon! xxx
Larrah Wrote:Thanks guys,
He has a UVB bulb but because the attachment is a bit high, his basking spot is about 21.5c is this far too low? Am going to set him up in a different place i think...xxx
Hi larrah, depending on how hot your basking light gets then you can alter it to the tortoises needs.
my light is only a 40wattage, and has a aliminium shade to reflect all heat downwards above the tortoises.
it is roughly 5 inches above my tortoises.
depending on the wattage, and how much heat it gives off you can alter it.
you can test it with your hand or a thermometer
Larrah Wrote:Ok, have given him a bath now...he moved backwards for a bit then settled...went to the toilet and had a drink...now he has gone and buried himself in the woodchips on his tortoise table! Bruce seemed quite happy tho!
Can't really contact the woman as she has moved away but will try mixing good food with a tiny bit of the bad and see how he gets on. I will definatley take a lookat this TNT too-sounds like good stuff!
Am loving having a tortoise-really interesting and he's really cute too, but soooo much to think about and can't help but think of the little blighter as fragile! xxx
Hi Larrah,
Are you aware that woodchip is toxic to torts?
Hi Julie,
errrr...no! It's called terrano, the pet shop said it would be okay for him. The pet shop near me was rubbish and this was the only stuff they had. Should i take it all out now or get new stuff a.s.a.p?Was actually planning on changing it anyway after reading the best substrates to use. Any recomendations? xxx
Larrah Wrote:Hi Julie,
errrr...no! It's called terrano, the pet shop said it would be okay for him. The pet shop near me was rubbish and this was the only stuff they had. Should i take it all out now or get new stuff a.s.a.p?Was actually planning on changing it anyway after reading the best substrates to use. Any recomendations? xxx
You can use a mix of play sand and top soil (50/50) or just Coconut coir (Bed-A-Beast type substrate). I use the latter with a little top soil and it works great.
Pet stores give out wrong care full stop, ive found that out the hard way.
the best substrate is playsand and soil 50/50 mixture, or you can have bed-a-beast and playsand, or if you dont want that you can use Hemcore, or aspen as substrate.