Turtle eating a lot but not moving much

EricZZZ

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Hello, I am new to the forum however I have tried my best to search all over the internet to look for some information with no results.

Anyways here is my problem: My turtle is a indotestudo elongata (I am not sure what the popular name is since I am Chinese and had to translate the name to the best of my ability.) The problem I'm having is that my turtle seems really lazy to the point where I'm a bit worried. My turtle is eating properly but just doesn't move, there are even times I feed him and he has his back turned on the food and just stays there for a few hours until I literally have to turn him around and then he starts eating. When I get him to move around he does have some problems dragging his back legs but I am feeding him an additional calcium supplement since I noticed him having this problem. I keep him in a small pen where he rests but he is able to crawl out and I have fenced in a good part of my balcony to let him roam around and planted some grass in some shallow platters in there so he can play in them. However he doesn't move at all even after he pees or defecates (I had to give him a lot of baths.) I have read that these turtles are only active during early morning and late evening however he is not very active even during those times. If anyone have any advise I would like to know if my turtle is okay.
 

dmmj

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do you know the origin of this animal? Whether it was wild-caught or captive born? The trouble moving the back legs are a little worrisome to me
 

JoesMum

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Are you able to post photographs of the enclosure that your tortoise lives in?

Does your tortoise have access to direct sunlight (not through a window) or a UVB lamp?
 

Yvonne G

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Even though your elongated tortoise has access to the balcony, my first impression was like JoesMum's - he's not warm enough. Do you have a heat lamp over his area?
 

EricZZZ

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do you know the origin of this animal? Whether it was wild-caught or captive born? The trouble moving the back legs are a little worrisome to me

It is a captive born turtle I bought it in a shop. The hind legs are okay when I bought it so I figured it was his diet's issue so I improved his diet
 

EricZZZ

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Even though your elongated tortoise has access to the balcony, my first impression was like JoesMum's - he's not warm enough. Do you have a heat lamp over his area?

Well most of the time the temperature is around 25C maybe even higher
 

EricZZZ

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Are you able to post photographs of the enclosure that your tortoise lives in?

Does your tortoise have access to direct sunlight (not through a window) or a UVB lamp?
I am not sure since many times I open the balcony window would that count as direct?
Here is his pen.
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Here are the plants and things I set up for him in the balcony
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lubop17jn
 

JoesMum

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Just opening the window does not count.

Your tortoise needs exposure to UVB light either directly outside or from a special light bulb every day for several hours.

Your tortoise uses the UVB light to help it process the calcium in its diet so that its bones and shell are healthy.

If it is not getting that UVB it will get Metabolic Bone Disease and that leads to the shell becoming soft and/or its bones becoming weak. This can be a cause of it not walking.
 

EricZZZ

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Just opening the window does not count.

Your tortoise needs exposure to UVB light either directly outside or from a special light bulb every day for several hours.

Your tortoise uses the UVB light to help it process the calcium in its diet so that its bones and shell are healthy.

If it is not getting that UVB it will get Metabolic Bone Disease and that leads to the shell becoming soft and/or its bones becoming weak. This can be a cause of it not walking.
Is there anyway I could substitute the UVB with a vitamin d supplement?
 

EricZZZ

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In short, no. If it were that easy we would all be doing it.

Your tortoise must have UVB light from a lamp or by spending time properly outside every day.
Alright I'll make sure to do that.
but is there anything you might know that is related to why my turtle isn't moving very much? He can move if I put him in the sun he could crawl back into his pen no problem.
 

SarahChelonoidis

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Your photos didn't load for me.

How long has this tortoise been in your care? What are you feeding (outside of supplements)? Do you bathe it every day in water? Is water available at all times that it is able to get into?

MBD can cause leg issues, but if the tortoise hasn't been in your care long, then that may not be it. Too cold temperatures cause tortoise to not move much, but then they also don't eat much (and elongated tolerate cooler temperatures than some species). Stones, constipation, or other impaction can also cause back leg issues.
 

EricZZZ

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Your photos didn't load for me.

How long has this tortoise been in your care? What are you feeding (outside of supplements)? Do you bathe it every day in water? Is water available at all times that it is able to get into?

MBD can cause leg issues, but if the tortoise hasn't been in your care long, then that may not be it. Too cold temperatures cause tortoise to not move much, but then they also don't eat much (and elongated tolerate cooler temperatures than some species). Stones, constipation, or other impaction can also cause back leg issues.
I had the turtle for more then half a year, I'm feeding it different veggies carrot, peas, cucumber, occasional yam, and the occasional fruit. I bath it every other day but I do have water for it to soak it self (not that he ever does) temperatures are 25C or higher and doesn't go below 20 even in the winter. Also I am not sure what is MBD?
 

dmmj

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MBD it's called Metabolic Bone disorder it causes the shell to be funny shaped and usually lack of calcium and or sunshine
 

JoesMum

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that's good but its legs not working very well can also be a sign
I agree and a year and a half without UVB is enough time for it to be showing.

This tortoise must have UVB light exposure as soon as possible. Don't wait for things to get worse.

I can't see your photos either :(
 
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