Why is my baby tortoise eating moss?

Netsu

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My baby tortoise has food in its enclosure, but for some reason it isn't even touching its food, it goes straight for the moss... I didn't like this since I don't think moss is good for tortoises, so I put it inside a different enclosure for a while where the moss has been replaced with tissue...

Why is it avoiding the food I gave it for the moss? Does it mistakenly associate the moss is a different type of food or something? How should I go about handling this?
 

Sarah2020

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Is the food in offer wet? Could be dehydrated and wants water. Suggest a good long soak in warm shallow water and provide fresh green leaves washed in water served wet to help hydrate. .... Good you have removed moss. Also check heat and light they need heat for digestion so make sure the temps are in line with care sheet.
 

Sarah2020

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To get some food intake try having a stone or slate under the heat and put the tortoise there with food on the stone. Not a permenant solution but good to try and get some food eaten because their warm they eat. Just try different arrangements till you find what works.
 

Tom

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My baby tortoise has food in its enclosure, but for some reason it isn't even touching its food, it goes straight for the moss... I didn't like this since I don't think moss is good for tortoises, so I put it inside a different enclosure for a while where the moss has been replaced with tissue...

Why is it avoiding the food I gave it for the moss? Does it mistakenly associate the moss is a different type of food or something? How should I go about handling this?
Because that is what tortoises do. That is why you shouldn't use moss in tortoise enclosures.

What species have you got?
 

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