Possible sick hatching

iamvallano · Apr 1, 2017

I just got two hatching salcata tortoises four days ago. One of them is very active and very sociable. The other one sleeps in bask most of the day. I don't know if this is a normal hatchling behavior. It doesn't seem like there's any mucus in her nose. She's still eating too. Her eyes look tired and doesn't like to move all that much. I can't tell if she's sick or not. Do you have any advice? Here are some pictures of her. Thank you for your time.

ImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1491108287.317249.jpg

ImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1491108297.377676.jpg

Yvonne G · Apr 2, 2017

Hi, and welcome to the Forum!

You are correct in worrying about this baby. Is it possible to give it back to the seller and get your money back? He's sick. The second thing is tortoises don't do well in pairs. This is not what's wrong with this baby right now, but if he gets better, it will be what's wrong with them in the near future.

If you don't want to give him back to the seller, then you need to set him up in his own habitat. I'd start with a small, hospital tank around the size of a 10 gallon aquarium. It can be a plastic tub, doesn't need to be a glass aquarium. Fix the temperature to overall 80-85F and cover the tank. Soak the baby in warm water for about 30 minutes daily.

If this doesn't revive him so he starts becoming more active, I'm afraid there's not much else you can do unless you have a GOOD tortoise vet you can take him to.

Tom · Apr 2, 2017

Hello and welcome.

My first advice is to get her off the floor and back in her warm enclosure.

Second is that they should not live in pairs.

Third, in looking at your avatar pic, has this tortoise been exposed to other chelonian species? If yes, it could be infected with something from one of the other species.

This tropical species must be kept warm day and night. What are your four temperatures? Warm side, cool side, basking area and overnight low? What equipment are you using to maintain those temperatures?

Here is the sulcata care info:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

Pearly · Apr 3, 2017

You have got great advice already from Yvonne and Tom. I just wanted to say hello and welcome from Texas. Good luck and keep us posted

iamvallano · Apr 20, 2017

Yvonne G said:
Hi, and welcome to the Forum!

You are correct in worrying about this baby. Is it possible to give it back to the seller and get your money back? He's sick. The second thing is tortoises don't do well in pairs. This is not what's wrong with this baby right now, but if he gets better, it will be what's wrong with them in the near future.

If you don't want to give him back to the seller, then you need to set him up in his own habitat. I'd start with a small, hospital tank around the size of a 10 gallon aquarium. It can be a plastic tub, doesn't need to be a glass aquarium. Fix the temperature to overall 80-85F and cover the tank. Soak the baby in warm water for about 30 minutes daily.

If this doesn't revive him so he starts becoming more active, I'm afraid there's not much else you can do unless you have a GOOD tortoise vet you can take him to.

Thank you so much for your reply. She seems a lot before now and is more active and eats more often. I'm keeping my eye out to see if there is any bullying but so far they seem not to mind each other. Thank you again.

iamvallano · Apr 20, 2017

Pearly said:
You have got great advice already from Yvonne and Tom. I just wanted to say hello and welcome from Texas. Good luck and keep us posted

Hello! it's very nice to meet you. She is doing just fine now!

iamvallano · Apr 20, 2017

Tom said:
Hello and welcome.

My first advice is to get her off the floor and back in her warm enclosure.

Second is that they should not live in pairs.

Third, in looking at your avatar pic, has this tortoise been exposed to other chelonian species? If yes, it could be infected with something from one of the other species.

This tropical species must be kept warm day and night. What are your four temperatures? Warm side, cool side, basking area and overnight low? What equipment are you using to maintain those temperatures?

Here is the sulcata care info:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

Thank you, your links were very helpful. She is in much better shape. Thank you again.

Bee62 · Apr 20, 2017

Hello @iamvallano and welcome to the forum.
Great to hear that your baby tort is getting better.
Can you please tell us something about the enclosure of your torts ? How big it is, which substrate you use and the temps and the humidity ?
Sulcata babies need a special treatment to stay healthy and grow up healthy. Mayby we have some more important advices for you.

keepergale · Apr 20, 2017

iamvallano said:
Thank you so much for your reply. She seems a lot before now and is more active and eats more often. I'm keeping my eye out to see if there is any bullying but so far they seem not to mind each other. Thank you again.

After reading this thread it seems to me you are ignoring the excellent advice already given. Your second tortoise is being set up to fail. Trust the advice you have already been given.

TammyJ · Apr 20, 2017

Hi, welcome and I hope you are still there!
Sometimes when the experts on here are trying to help, they may sound as if they are scolding you...this is not so, they are just really trying to help and they know exactly how to help you the very best way for your tortoises! Please read the care sheets carefully and follow the well meant advice, it is given in the very best spirit!
Keep us posted, please!
This site has been extremely helpful to me, a little over a year ago I got my first tortoises and struck lucky coming here.

Possible sick hatching

iamvallano

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Yvonne G

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Tom

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Pearly

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iamvallano

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iamvallano

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iamvallano

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Bee62

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keepergale

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TammyJ

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