Concerned about my tortoises dark eyes and general health.

[Rufina]

I have had a ruby headed, red footed tortoise for almost a year. Her name is Rufina (it was Rufus until I realized she was a female). I love her very much and I am concerned about her health. First I have really struggled with humidity but through this site I have read a few ideas I might be able to try. Her head always looks so dry, I’m sure due to lack of humidity. Second I it seems like the area around her eyes is very dark. And then this morning I could hear her breathing, but that didn’t last. I might be a little overprotective but I’ve become so attached to her and I haven’t figured out a way to ask her how she’s feeling. If anyone has any ideas about what I can do please let me know.

 

[ascott]

I have had a ruby headed, red footed tortoise for almost a year. Her name is Rufina (it was Rufus until I realized she was a female). I love her very much and I am concerned about her health. First I have really struggled with humidity but through this site I have read a few ideas I might be able to try. Her head always looks so dry, I’m sure due to lack of humidity. Second I it seems like the area around her eyes is very dark. And then this morning I could hear her breathing, but that didn’t last. I might be a little overprotective but I’ve become so attached to her and I haven’t figured out a way to ask her how she’s feeling. If anyone has any ideas about what I can do please let me know.

Dont bash yourself over humidity....you will get it right, eventually Also, when folks display pics on this, or any site, the tortoise has usually been wet down or greased up...which can lead some to believe they are always "juicy" looking, when actually they are not always juicy...Dark? they are a dark and light color variant critter...so? Perhaps a pic of the area of concern...and one more thing...yes, they breath...the chirp they coooo they click, they make lots of fun noises....my Mother mentioned once to me that perhaps they click and chirp trying to lure an insect to them...since they like to eat em up???? who knows, but tortoise do make noise...

 

[Rufina]

Thank you so much for your comments and support. Frankly, I couldn’t figure out how to post a picture of her.

 

[ascott]

lol...and I am the worst on directions....but lets try, shall we? go to the comment section, at the bottom of that box is Post Reply, Upload a File, More options....oh, make sure that you take a pic first and load it onto your laptop or phone,etc...okay not back to the awesome directions....go to comment section, enter what ever you want, then go to the upload a file button, that should display your stuff, pick the pic and attach it???? maybe that helped or maybe not....fingers and toes crossed....you can do it!!!

 

[Rufina]

Thank you Again! I’ve looked at the photos of other tortoises and their heads all look so smooth but hers is quite bumpy.

 

[Yvonne G]

I don't see anything wrong with that head. . . and her living arrangements look quite nice too

 

[Pearly]

View attachment 236086 View attachment 236086 Thank you Again! I’ve looked at the photos of other tortoises and their heads all look so smooth but hers is quite bumpy.

What a cutie!!!! My RFs heads get dry like that too and scales look like they are beginning to crack at the seems and start coming off but they never do and once I start payingmore attention to them (be sure to wash them several times in daily bath, and rub little coconut oil on them they lose this dried up look. Until the next tome[emoji6] Yvonne is correct, we all love to photograph are torts in or right after their bath and spa treatment[emoji38] bcs they look so pretty then. Your little tortie looks great, and if you are a hobby keeper rather than a breeder with a mass production of baby torts, you can spend time on manicuring your little cutie. I know I have lots of fun doing that, and it gives me a chance to closely inspect their bodies after bringing them from the outside, so relax, and ENJOY your beautiful tort. thisis my sweet Tucker, his head gets really dry too. If I skipped his daily wash and weekly coco oil treatment it would get very dry and unattractive. and this is my big girl Shellie. She doesn’t seem to dry up as much as Tucker but after a while her head scales eventually dry up and become dull looking as well. Both Dhellie and Tucker, and myself[emoji112] say hi from Texas[emoji217]

 

[Rufina]

Thank you, and Dhellie and Tucker. Both of your kids are beautiful, but their heads look so much smoother than Ru’s. I want the best for Ru but I will try to stop worrying so much. I’m in my 60’s which I think qualifies me as a fuss-budget. I am going to try the coconut oil right now, and a bath later.

 

[ascott]

View attachment 236086 View attachment 236086 Thank you Again! I’ve looked at the photos of other tortoises and their heads all look so smooth but hers is quite bumpy.

Looks like a perfectly beautiful tort....nice bright eyes and nothing that stands out as a concern....

 

[Pearly]

Thank you, and Dhellie and Tucker. Both of your kids are beautiful, but their heads look so much smoother than Ru’s. I want the best for Ru but I will try to stop worrying so much. I’m in my 60’s which I think qualifies me as a fuss-budget. I am going to try the coconut oil right now, and a bath later.

Excuse my typo please, it is SHELLIE[emoji38]