hosphorus Ratio. However, this food is high in oxalic acid, so feed in moderation)Thank you so much for the advice! I'm on my way to the grocery store to get some of the stuff now. Thanks again for replying that fast to my sos!Hi, and welcome to the Forum!
Sounds like you have a baby in trouble and you need to act right away before that shell gets any softer. This is an emergency situation.
Do you have a GOOD UVB light (not one of those cheap spiral-shaped bulbs)?
Do you keep the habitat upwards of 80F all the time?
The diet needs to be changed:
- Broadleaf Plaintain/Plantago major/Greater Plantain, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadleaf_Plantain
- California Poppy/Eschscholzia californica/golden poppy/California sunlight/cup of gold/ State Flower of California, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eschscholzia_californica
- Chickweed/ Stellaria media, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chickweed
- Chicory/ Cichorium intybus, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicory
- Clover/ Trifolium (not to be confused with Oxalis, which may be toxic), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clover
- Flowering maple/ Abutilo/ Indian mallow/velvetleaf, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flowering_maple
- Geranium /Pelargonium/Storksbills, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelargonium
- Globe Mallow/Sphaeralcea/falsemallows, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globe_mallow
- Henbit/Lamium amplexicaule/ henbit deadnettle/greater henbit, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamium_amplexicaule
- Hibiscus, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibiscus
- Hollyhock/Alcea, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollyhock
- Kentucy Blue Grass/ Poa pratensis/ smooth meadow-grass/common meadow-grass, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_blue_grass
- Little Bluestem/ Schizachyrium scoparium/beard grass, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Bluestem
- Mallow/Malva Sylvestris, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malva_sylvestris
- Oat Grass/Arrhenatherum/Bottom Grass, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oat_Grass
- Orchard Grass/Dactylis/ Cocksfoot Grasses/Cat Grass, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orchard_grass
- Common purslane/Portulaca oleracea/verdolaga/pigweed/little hogweed/ pursley/moss rose, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portulaca_oleracea
- Rye Grass/ Lolium, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rye_grass
- Sowthistle
- Strawberry Leaves/ Fragaria, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strawberry
- Timothy Grass/Phleum pratense/ cat's tail, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_Grass
Calcium Power Foods
- Bok Choy/Pak Choy/Chinese Cabbage/ Brassica rapa (also a good source of Vitamin A), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bok_choy
- Collard Greens/ Brassica oleracea, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collard_greens (also a good source of Vitamin A)
- Dandelion, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dandelion, (A good source of Vitamin A, calcium, and has a good Calcium
- Grape Leaf /Vitis species (also a good source of Vitamin A)
- Prickley Pear Cactus Pas/Oputunia Cactus/Nopales/Paddle Cactus, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opuntia (Also a natural laxative, so feed in moderation).
- Turnip Greens/Brassica rapa/white turnip greens/turnip tops (also a good source of plant protein & Vitamin A).
- Alfalfa/ Medicago sativa/lucerne, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfalfa (also a good source of plant protein & Vitamin A)
- Mulberry Leaves/Morus leaves, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morus_(plant)
If you must buy at a Grocery Store, here are some good Options
You don't need to feed ALL of these foods, but you can pick and choose several and change it weekly.
- Arugula/Eruca sativa/salad rocket/roquette/rucola/ rugula/colewort, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arugula (also a good source of plant protein & Vitamin A).
- Bok Choy/Pak Choy/Chinese Cabbage/ Brassica rapa (a good source of Vitamin A and has a good calcium: phosphorus ratio), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bok_choy
- Collard Greens/ Brassica oleracea, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collard_greens (A good source of Vitamin A, Calcium, and has a great Calcium to Phos ratio)
- Turnip Greens/Brassica rapa/white turnip greens/turnip tops (A good source of plant protein, Vitamin A, Calicium, and has a good Calciumto to phos ratio)
- Prickley Pear Cactus Pas/Oputunia Cactus/Nopales/Paddle Cactus, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opuntia (A good source of calcium, but also a natural laxative, so feed in moderation).
- Grape Leaf /Vitis species (also a good source of Vitamin A)
- Clover Sprouts (also a good source of plant protein & Vitamin A)
- Alfalfa Sprouts/ Medicago sativa/lucerne, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfalfa (also a good source of plant protein, Vitamin A, & Calcium)
- Mustard Greens/ Brassica juncea/Indian mustard/Chinese mustard/leaf mustard (A good source of Vitamin A and has a good Calcium to phos ratio), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustard_greens
- Cat Grass/ Dactylis/ ****'s-foot/Orchard Grass, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_grass
- Wheat Grass/ Triticum aestivum, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheat_grass (also a good source of Vitamin A).
- Dandelion, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dandelion, (A good source of Vitamin A, calcium, and has a good Calcium to phosphorus Ratio. However, this food is high in oxalic acid, so feed in moderation)
In order for tortoise shells and bones to grow strong and healthy they must have calcium. But the calcium just gets pooped out if you don't also provide UVB either from the sun or from a GOOD UVB light. They work together - calcium/UVB.
How are you housing him? What's the enclosure look like?
I have her in 45 gallon tank with my other Russian tortoise who is almost 6 years old. They each have a cave to get some ready in and they have a basking light and a UV light as well.
Separating them is where you need to start. Leopards and Russians have different care.
I would separate them straight away
