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Chasen

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First off, I want to thank this forum for it's wealth of info, education and support. I raised 3 tort hatchlings in the past and they were all very active little ones that ate great. So, I can't help but feel that something is just a bit off with my guy. The others were 2 deserts and a sully. I was unaware of many of the husbandry practices that I am now educated on, but managed to not mess them up. My newest question is regarding activity level. Right now it's just after noon and there's been no movement. Is it normal for a Leo to stay in the hide this late or all day?
 

Neal

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They all behave differently, but in general it is normal for them to become active in the morning and mid afternoon hours (around 3pm or so). I don't do anything to simulate the natural photo-period in my hatchling enclosures (such as dimming lights later in the afternoons or something along those lines). So it's the same brightness every day and they are always active in the mornings and in the afternoons just like the tortoises that live outside. They will sleep or move little during the mid-morning through early afternoon hours.

If you're not seeing any or little activity at all, then there might be an issue. What temperatures are you keeping your tortoise at, and how are you measuring the temperatures?
 

wellington

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I agree, normally out in the morning. Very shortly after light comes on. Eats, roams, sleeps and will do the same 2-3 times a day.
Double check all the temps using a good source, not those puck like things that pet stores sell, they arent very accurate. A temp gun is a good thing to instantly read temps any place. Also make sure you are reading them at tort level.
I would get him out and soak in warm water.
Please give us all the info you can about his temps, humidity. heat source using, diet, soakings, etc. everything you can think of. Pics would help too.
 

Yvonne G

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First off, I want to thank this forum for it's wealth of info, education and support. I raised 3 tort hatchlings in the past and they were all very active little ones that ate great. So, I can't help but feel that something is just a bit off with my guy. The others were 2 deserts and a sully. I was unaware of many of the husbandry practices that I am now educated on, but managed to not mess them up. My newest question is regarding activity level. Right now it's just after noon and there's been no movement. Is it normal for a Leo to stay in the hide this late or all day?
At the moment I have 13 hatchling leopard tortoises in a Vision cage. The lights are on a timer, and as soon as that light comes on in the a.m. all 13 of 'em come out and mob the feeding tile. If there's no food there they continue to mill around until the food magically appears. It may be different with me because there are so many in the same enclosure, but I feel yours should be more active.

Just continue to pull him out of hiding daily. I would bring him out in the a.m. and sit him in warm water, leaving him there while you prepare his food. Place the food in the enclosure, and about 15 minutes of soaking, put the tortoise in front of the food, stepping quickly out of sight. It also might help to place the feeding tile right in front of the doorway of the hiding place.
 

Tom

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Some types of bulbs hurt their eyes. Is this a possibility? What type of bulbs are you using? What type of UV bulb? And what are your four temps? Warm side, cool side, basking area, and overnight low?
 

Chasen

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Thank you all for you advice. Instead of answering individually, I will just do it here. Temps are measured by 1 of the corded probe type thermometer/hygrometer and 2 of the same, but just thermometers. 1 under incand. basking bulb at 100/102, 1 under the CHE which reads 90/92 and the last one on the cool side at 80. Overnite low is 90/92. The humidity ranges from 80% on up. Substrate is coir. 2 hides on warm side (one of which is moister) and 1 on cool side. Lighting is reptisun tube. Water is always available via terra cotta saucer and soakings happen for 30 min a day. Feeding mazuri and many different types of greens including dandelion, hibiscus leaves/flowers, mulberry leaves, grass, mustard greens, collared greens, carrot tops, rose leaves/flowers, clover, banana leaves, turnip greens, etc. As much variety as possible chopped up and mixed with mazuri. I do pull him from his hide to soak and then he will go eat after. That's all I can think of at the moment. Thanks again
 

Tom

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Thank you all for you advice. Instead of answering individually, I will just do it here. Temps are measured by 1 of the corded probe type thermometer/hygrometer and 2 of the same, but just thermometers. 1 under incand. basking bulb at 100/102, 1 under the CHE which reads 90/92 and the last one on the cool side at 80. Overnite low is 90/92. The humidity ranges from 80% on up. Substrate is coir. 2 hides on warm side (one of which is moister) and 1 on cool side. Lighting is reptisun tube. Water is always available via terra cotta saucer and soakings happen for 30 min a day. Feeding mazuri and many different types of greens including dandelion, hibiscus leaves/flowers, mulberry leaves, grass, mustard greens, collared greens, carrot tops, rose leaves/flowers, clover, banana leaves, turnip greens, etc. As much variety as possible chopped up and mixed with mazuri. I do pull him from his hide to soak and then he will go eat after. That's all I can think of at the moment. Thanks again
Thank you for the very thorough answer. :)

The only thing I see is that I'd let night temp drop to 80. 90+ is a bit too much for night time, but I don't think this is your issue. What size is the tortoise? What does it weigh?
 

Brunurupucis

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I agree, normally out in the morning. Very shortly after light comes on. Eats, roams, sleeps and will do the same 2-3 times a day.
Double check all the temps using a good source, not those puck like things that pet stores sell, they arent very accurate. A temp gun is a good thing to instantly read temps any place. Also make sure you are reading them at tort level.
I would get him out and soak in warm water.
Please give us all the info you can about his temps, humidity. heat source using, diet, soakings, etc. everything you can think of. Pics would help too.
On soaking any particular time of day? What are ideal times?
 

Chasen

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Galveston
Thank you for the very thorough answer. :)

The only thing I see is that I'd let night temp drop to 80. 90+ is a bit too much for night time, but I don't think this is your issue. What size is the tortoise? What does it weigh?
I will drop the nite temp. I don't know the exact measurement, but I would guess 2 inches. The weight is 49 grams. TY
 
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