Confused why my tortoise is biting the air

ZEROPILOT

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I set my tort down (6 month Greek) and he started biting the air while going in and out of his shell. Anyone know what this could be?
Does he seem to be breathing OK?
Are there any other things going on?
Is he eating ok?
Do his eyes look normal?
 

Tom

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I have a duo heat and uvb light and a reptinsim uvb
What type of bulbs? Mercury vapor? Cfl? "Intense reptile spot bulb"? Linear tube for UV? I'm asking because your tortoise appears to be having eye issues. Some of the time, eye issues are caused by the wrong bulb, or by a bulb being used incorrectly.

The Reptisun name is used for several types of bulbs. We need to know what type. All of these are "Reptisun":

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Yvonne G

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Baby tortoises use the in and out motion of their head to help them breathe, it's normal, but the biting the air. . . could you be mistaking gasping for biting the air? If he's gasping it means his nose is plugged up.
 

Turtlegirl555

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What type of bulbs? Mercury vapor? Cfl? "Intense reptile spot bulb"? Linear tube for UV? I'm asking because your tortoise appears to be having eye issues. Some of the time, eye issues are caused by the wrong bulb, or by a bulb being used incorrectly.

The Reptisun name is used for several types of bulbs. We need to know what type. All of these are "Reptisun":

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I have the first and sixth one sorry for lack of specifics
 

Gillian M

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Please post images of your tort as well as his enclosure. This might enable the experts to help you more easily.

Good luck.
 

Tom

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View attachment 346814
Here is his set up if it helps
You need a hide, some decor, and the correct substrate. Your humidity is way too low, and that could be irritating the eyes. Babies need 50-70% ambient humidity and you can't do that with Timothy hay in there or with those wood chips.

What is in the two hoods?

Most of the care advice and products sold for tortoises are all wrong. Here is the correct care info:
 

Turtlegirl555

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You need a hide, some decor, and the correct substrate. Your humidity is way too low, and that could be irritating the eyes. Babies need 50-70% ambient humidity and you can't do that with Timothy hay in there or with those wood chips.

What is in the two hoods?

Most of the care advice and products sold for tortoises are all wrong. Here is the correct care info:
The breeder said what I had was correct I’ll try to get better at caring for him
 

Yvonne G

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View attachment 346814
Here is his set up if it helps
This is a very barren place for a baby tortoise to live. You would never see a baby tortoise in a place like this in the wild. Because he's prey, he would stay somewhere that has lots of cover. . . tall grass, shrubs, big rocks, etc. And all that cover also gives him respite from the bright sun (harsh lighting).
 

MenagerieGrl

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Hi, Turtlegirl555, Just wanna wish you a TFO (Tortoise Forum .org) welcome. You have come to the right place. There are a lot of very smart Tort folks here and we ALL do our best to help out sharing the correct info regarding the care and feeding of our beloved lil tort's. Be wary of info from FB, or your local pet shop. As @Tom has mentioned above, read over the care sheet, and questions are always welcome and encouraged.
BTW, what is your lil ones name. I like to address/refer to them correctly
 

Jan A

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The breeder said what I had was correct I’ll try to get better at caring for him
Please, we are not criticizing. Breeders, pet stores may not know how to care for torts properly, be up to-date or give good instructions. You reached out for help & you came to the right place. And we welcome you to the forum. Members here love our torts & turtles & WE are always learning & correcting our own mistakes. So welcome!!
 

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