Russian tortoise not eating

cindywang0505

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Hello! I just got my Russian tortoise last Saturday, and today is his 5th day at my home.
He hasn't been eating since the very first day, and he has been sleeping under the hiding place this whole time. I try to wake him up every day to feed him fresh greens and I make sure there are enough fresh greens in the feeding dish.
I've seen him taking a few bites of the food yesterday, I immediately went in to add more fresh greens to his bowl. After me interfering with his eating, he stopped and wouldn't take another bite.

Is he afraid of me or something? I understand that tortoises may need a couple of days to adjust, but I'm really worried that he will get dehydrated or something.

Btw the basking area of his enclosure is 24-degree celsius (75 F), and I keep the basking light and UV light on during the day time.

Thanks so much, everyone! I'm super worried and I need your help!!

update: I just dragged him out of the hiding place to let him eat, and he fell asleep under the basking light...
 

TechnoCheese

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The problem is likely that your basking temp is much, much too low. It should be 37-38 (95-100 F) degrees, and your cool side or ambient should be around 24. A tortoise will not eat if it does not have the heat required to digest food.

The fact that it’s a new tortoise trying to get used to its surroundings may also be a contributing factor.

Please give these a read and come back with questions :)-
Russian Tortoise Care Sheet https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/

Beginner Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/
 

Sleppo

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Yes I agree his temps need to be higher get those corrected and he should start eating more. Study up on the links provided they contain great information and this forum is a tremendous resource. Please also note these animals are prey animals and are extremely weary of everything, it may take weeks for him to get comfortable in his new home.
 

RosemaryDW

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I know it’s hard to understand for new (human) owners but tortoises can go a loooong time without eating. Focus on getting his setup correct first.

He’ll also need some time to adapt; right now he’s a tiny animal in a new place trying to feel safe. Leave some food down, walk away and don’t bother him (again, I know this is hard to do!).
 

cindywang0505

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Ahh thanks sooooo much to all of you who replied! I left the heat on for him and went to class. When I got back, I saw him munching on the greens!!!! It was quite emotional lol. I'll try my best to not bother him and let him adjust.

Again, thanks sooo much!!!

<3
 

cindywang0505

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The problem is likely that your basking temp is much, much too low. It should be 37-38 (95-100 F) degrees, and your cool side or ambient should be around 24. A tortoise will not eat if it does not have the heat required to digest food.

The fact that it’s a new tortoise trying to get used to its surroundings may also be a contributing factor.

Please give these a read and come back with questions :)-
Russian Tortoise Care Sheet https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/

Beginner Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/
Thanks so much for your reply! I only bought the heat lamp thinking that it would generate enough heat for my tortoise (the person working at the pet shop told me that :( )
I'll make sure to go through these pages.

Best!!!
Cindy
 

cindywang0505

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Yes I agree his temps need to be higher get those corrected and he should start eating more. Study up on the links provided they contain great information and this forum is a tremendous resource. Please also note these animals are prey animals and are extremely weary of everything, it may take weeks for him to get comfortable in his new home.

Hey! Thanks sooo much for your reply!
I've been super worried and kept waking him up to feed him; I would stop doing that to let him do his thing.

Best!!
Cindy
 

cindywang0505

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I know it’s hard to understand for new (human) owners but tortoises can go a loooong time without eating. Focus on getting his setup correct first.

He’ll also need some time to adapt; right now he’s a tiny animal in a new place trying to feel safe. Leave some food down, walk away and don’t bother him (again, I know this is hard to do!).

Hey! Thanks for your reply!!!

Ugh, I have to admit that it is super hard not to bother him, yet I'll try my best to do so. It also seems like I have an introvert tortoise. I saw him at the pet shop, being kept with 3 other Russian tortoises who were larger and more active than he is. He was being run over by other tortoises and I felt like I had to take him home and take good care of him :(
His shell is not looking very great because of that. I'm now giving him calcium powder along with his vegetables, I hope he could become a happy and healthy boi :)
Best!
CindyIMG_9741.jpg
 

RosemaryDW

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That is how wild caught Russians look; they get a lot of wear and tear in their natural environment. It’s old damange from bouncing around on rocks, not other tortoises. It won’t grow back but it doesn’t hurt him. He does look a little dryer than some; you can rub a little (a little) coconut oil on the seams with a q-tip. Probably not needed but you’ll feel better. :)

I wouldn’t say he is an introvert necessarily but he was definitely being bullied by those other tortoises. This may means he needs more time feeling safe and confident than some other tortoises to (literally) come out of his shell.

Don’t overdo it with the calcium powder, a tiny tiny sprinkle two or three days a week is adequate.

When you say “vegetables” you mean leafy greens right? I never know, some people use vegetables to mean “just” greens, others mean carrots and peas. Greens are good, carrots and peas not really.

Russians are very tough, he will no doubt spring back in the correct environment.
 

cindywang0505

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That is how wild caught Russians look; they get a lot of wear and tear in their natural environment. It’s old damange from bouncing around on rocks, not other tortoises. It won’t grow back but it doesn’t hurt him. He does look a little dryer than some; you can rub a little (a little) coconut oil on the seams with a q-tip. Probably not needed but you’ll feel better. :)

I wouldn’t say he is an introvert necessarily but he was definitely being bullied by those other tortoises. This may means he needs more time feeling safe and confident than some other tortoises to (literally) come out of his shell.

Don’t overdo it with the calcium powder, a tiny tiny sprinkle two or three days a week is adequate.

When you say “vegetables” you mean leafy greens right? I never know, some people use vegetables to mean “just” greens, others mean carrots and peas. Greens are good, carrots and peas not really.

Russians are very tough, he will no doubt spring back in the correct environment.

People working at the pet shop didn't know much about those tortoises at all. I'm quite shocked knowing that he is a wild caught tortoise. (They also told me the chipped parts would grow back :/) But I'm quite glad knowing that he wouldn't be bullied anymore! The way the tortoises were kept and treated at the pet store disappointed me a lot :/
By vegetables, I mean kale and romaine lettuce! I did notice that he likes kale much better, and I'm glad!
Anyways thanks so much for your advice! <3

Best!
Cindy
 

RosemaryDW

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People at pet chain stores have mostly wrong info, so do a lot of vets and owners actually. Old information or just plain bad floating around on the internet. That’s why the care sheets here are so important.

Most Russian tortoises in the U.S. are wild caught, imported at the early adult stage.

No tortoise does well in pairs, particularly Russians.

All tortoises need plenty of space; pet stores tell buyers Russians don’t need much space because “they’re small.” If you are using an aquarium, terrarium, or something sold as a “tortoise house,” it’s too small. Russians are among the most active tortoises and won’t be able to digest food without enough space to move around (four foot by eight foot is the smallest recommended size).

If you bought much at the pet store, you probably paid too much and/or got the wrong things, I’m afraid. Don’t throw your receipts away until you’ve read the care sheets.

Nothing wrong with a wild caught tortoise—mine is wild caught—they just don’t tend to match pet store descriptions. :)
 

KarenSoCal

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BTW, welcome to the forum! As you have already seen, it is the BEST place to get accurate, proven, up-to-date info from experts.

Stick around, make yourself comfie, and you will learn more about Russians and all torts than you even knew existed! [emoji2]
 

cindywang0505

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People at pet chain stores have mostly wrong info, so do a lot of vets and owners actually. Old information or just plain bad floating around on the internet. That’s why the care sheets here are so important.

Most Russian tortoises in the U.S. are wild caught, imported at the early adult stage.

No tortoise does well in pairs, particularly Russians.

All tortoises need plenty of space; pet stores tell buyers Russians don’t need much space because “they’re small.” If you are using an aquarium, terrarium, or something sold as a “tortoise house,” it’s too small. Russians are among the most active tortoises and won’t be able to digest food without enough space to move around (four foot by eight foot is the smallest recommended size).

If you bought much at the pet store, you probably paid too much and/or got the wrong things, I’m afraid. Don’t throw your receipts away until you’ve read the care sheets.

Nothing wrong with a wild caught tortoise—mine is wild caught—they just don’t tend to match pet store descriptions. :)

I literally just realized on the box of the lighting kit (that the person at the pet store made me buy) says AQUATIC turtle lighting kit. No wonder why it is not warm enough. I'm gonna return it asap and get the right one. Thanks for your tips!! I appreciate a lot!!!!
Yeah, I'm most definitely gonna purchase an actual turtle house.
My tortoise is doing pretty well today! He ate a lot, great appetite!

Again, thanks so much for your great advice!
Best,
Cindy
 

TechnoCheese

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I literally just realized on the box of the lighting kit (that the person at the pet store made me buy) says AQUATIC turtle lighting kit. No wonder why it is not warm enough. I'm gonna return it asap and get the right one. Thanks for your tips!! I appreciate a lot!!!!
Yeah, I'm most definitely gonna purchase an actual turtle house.
My tortoise is doing pretty well today! He ate a lot, great appetite!

Again, thanks so much for your great advice!
Best,
Cindy

Please keep in mind that since your tortoise requires a minimum enclosure size of 8x4 feet, there really isn’t an enclosure big enough for you to buy unless you spend a lot of money on one from apcages.com. You’ll likely have to build it yourself.

Kale and lettuce definitely aren’t good food options. Please be sure you read the diet section of the Russian care sheet.

Glad to hear he’s doing better :)
 

RosemaryDW

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Indeed, there is no such thing as a “good” tortoise house on the market.

Read the care sheets and get the specific things you need someplace other than a pet store. It may be that you end up with a combination of things from a nursery and online. I don’t have an inside enclosure but off the top of my head I can’t think of anything besides lighting that actually needs to be “reptile specific.” Mineral and food supplements, perhaps.
 

cindywang0505

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Please keep in mind that since your tortoise requires a minimum enclosure size of 8x4 feet, there really isn’t an enclosure big enough for you to buy unless you spend a lot of money on one from apcages.com. You’ll likely have to build it yourself.

Kale and lettuce definitely aren’t good food options. Please be sure you read the diet section of the Russian care sheet.

Glad to hear he’s doing better :)
After reading the care sheet, I bought him endive and cilantro from the grocery store, then I found some dandelion for him from the park. He LOVED the dandelion!
Yeah I think I probably have to make him a tortoise house. Good thing is that my school has a woodshop that we can use.
:D
 

KarenSoCal

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After reading the care sheet, I bought him endive and cilantro from the grocery store, then I found some dandelion for him from the park. He LOVED the dandelion!
Yeah I think I probably have to make him a tortoise house. Good thing is that my school has a woodshop that we can use.
:D
That's great you found endive and cilantro! My Chug loves them both!

Be very cautious about picking anything at a park. You need to be positive that no weed killers or bug killers have been used, either systemically or sprayed.

Plain, no additive fertilizer is ok. Again, no weed killer added, no "water retention" stuff, no bug deterrents.
 

MRpotato

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Hello! I just got my Russian tortoise last Saturday, and today is his 5th day at my home.
He hasn't been eating since the very first day, and he has been sleeping under the hiding place this whole time. I try to wake him up every day to feed him fresh greens and I make sure there are enough fresh greens in the feeding dish.
I've seen him taking a few bites of the food yesterday, I immediately went in to add more fresh greens to his bowl. After me interfering with his eating, he stopped and wouldn't take another bite.

Is he afraid of me or something? I understand that tortoises may need a couple of days to adjust, but I'm really worried that he will get dehydrated or something.

Btw the basking area of his enclosure is 24-degree celsius (75 F), and I keep the basking light and UV light on during the day time.

Thanks so much, everyone! I'm super worried and I need your help!!

update: I just dragged him out of the hiding place to let him eat, and he fell asleep under the basking light...
I'm starting to think a big thing has to do with color and what they see. Surround the inside of the terrarium with bright colors. They like bring colors. See what happens. Also consider 8 hour nature sounds. when I refill his bath i drop a little water on him here an there.
 
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