Marginated baby not eating

Eemwam

New Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2017
Messages
4
Location (City and/or State)
FL
Hi everyone!
I am looking for some advice or opinions on our Marginated tortoise baby. My boyfriend and I got Curtis about 2 months ago. He was 2 and a half/3 months at the time. He hasn't been eating well since we got him. When he does eat, he will eat a decent amount (Not a lot). However, he will go days to a week between eating anything. We have gone to the vet and were told he has MBD. His clutch mate that we got at the same time unfortunately didn't make it, and she ate very well :/ He is getting a diet of collard greens, a spring mix of endives, chicory, baby greens and some dry tortoise food to supplement (this seems to be all he wants to eat). We have tried fruit, zucchini, and bell peppers as well, which he doesn't show much interest in. When he goes outside I will pick some clover for him, which he goes to but doesn't try to eat. His tortoise house has an MVB bulb and basking temperature is around 95 degrees. At night temperature is around 60 or 70. We are using coconut bark as substrate, currently. It's been about a month since his vet visit and he has been getting calcium supplements when I'm able to get him to eat something. Im looking for some advice on how else we can get him eating and thriving. I will attach a photo of his house, to help give an idea. . 20171015_184320.jpg

Thank you all in advance for your advice!

- Erin
 

wellington

Well-Known Member
Moderator
10 Year Member!
Tortoise Club
Joined
Sep 6, 2011
Messages
49,658
Location (City and/or State)
Chicago, Illinois, USA
I don't know a lot about marginateds and not sure who has any.
What I can say is it's not likely he has MBD at such a tiny age. I would seek out a more knowledgable vet.
Also your night temps are too low, raise it to 80, day and night with basking 95-100
What is the humidity?
Give warm water soaks daily for 20-30 minutes keep him and water warm the whole time. Don't feed fruit.
 

LRTortoises

Active Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Sep 5, 2012
Messages
193
Location (City and/or State)
Little Rock, Ar
I agree with everything Wellington said. I'd do a warm soak daily of possible. Also know that it's not uncommon for them yo ho a day without eating. Particularly if he is using the bathroom when he soaks I wouldn't worry. I feed mine about 5 times a week.
 

LRTortoises

Active Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Sep 5, 2012
Messages
193
Location (City and/or State)
Little Rock, Ar
If you are going to use that tortoise box I'd also do a warm humid hide. So take a plastic box put sphagnum moss inside. Then soak it and make sure it stays warm.
 

wellington

Well-Known Member
Moderator
10 Year Member!
Tortoise Club
Joined
Sep 6, 2011
Messages
49,658
Location (City and/or State)
Chicago, Illinois, USA
If you are going to use that tortoise box I'd also do a warm humid hide. So take a plastic box put sphagnum moss inside. Then soak it and make sure it stays warm.
If you don't mind, I will be putting you on my go to alert list for marginateds?
 

LRTortoises

Active Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Sep 5, 2012
Messages
193
Location (City and/or State)
Little Rock, Ar
Sure. Thats my website also. I started out with gbtortoises marginateds 4 or 5 years ago and have been raising and breeding them since
 

Eemwam

New Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2017
Messages
4
Location (City and/or State)
FL
Thank you both for your replies. I will try the hide house for sure. He does soak daily and LOVES to drink water. I appreciate the help!
 

Eemwam

New Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2017
Messages
4
Location (City and/or State)
FL
I don't know a lot about marginateds and not sure who has any.
What I can say is it's not likely he has MBD at such a tiny age. I would seek out a more knowledgable vet.
Also your night temps are too low, raise it to 80, day and night with basking 95-100
What is the humidity?
Give warm water soaks daily for 20-30 minutes keep him and water warm the whole time. Don't feed fruit.
Thanks for the reply. The vet suggested trying fruit and other veggies in order to get him to eat anything. I'll look into a different vet though for future visits. Another question- how do I measure the amount of humidity that his enclosure has to ensure that I keep it adequate? First time with a tortoise and want to do my very best by him :)
 

LRTortoises

Active Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Sep 5, 2012
Messages
193
Location (City and/or State)
Little Rock, Ar
You can get barometer. I'll link to one I use. When you do the humid hide the nice thing is your tortoise can select where it wants to be. You will be able to tell if it's humid in there as you'll see wet sphagnum moss.
 

LRTortoises

Active Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Sep 5, 2012
Messages
193
Location (City and/or State)
Little Rock, Ar
I meant hygrometer. AMIR Indoor Digital Hygrometer Thermometer, Humidity Monitor with Temperature Gauge Humidity Meter, LCD Screen Multifunctional Hygrometer for Baby, Kids, Home, Car, Office, Etc. (Mini) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017UCH2MY/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20 I have used this one. I wouldnt stake my life on it being perfectly accurate but it seems to be pretty accurate.
 

Eemwam

New Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2017
Messages
4
Location (City and/or State)
FL
Top