Clicking beak?

[Cordycord]

Noticed that my tortoise’s beak suddenly clicks while eating. Any idea what’s causing it?

Here’s a video - https://streamable.com/zkz51o

The pile of mazuri is my attempt to give him his medicine (vet gave him something for worms) but he just took a few bites and turned away. Any tips on that as well?

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hello and welcome! Cute baby!

That is indeed a little strange, let me tag these guys and see what they think @Tom @wellington

In the meantime I don’t suppose you’d mind including some more info on how you’re keeping them? It’s so helpful with newer members! And photos of your full set up would be great!

How are your temperatures reading both day and night?

What kind of lighting/heating are you using? Packaging photos are handy!

What kind of indoor uv?

How are your humidity levels?

Is that orchid bark you use?

How’s their diet been with you? I have a great list I can share with a bunch of stuff we feed ours if you want to check it out for some variety ideas

Also may I ask what made the vet want to worm the tortoise? Was a fecal sample ran? Any worrying symptoms that made you want to deworm?

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Could you try wrapping the meds with the soaked pellets into a roll of lettuce? Maybe smear some cucumber juice to make it more desirable.

 

[Cordycord]

Hello and welcome! Cute baby!

That is indeed a little strange, let me tag these guys and see what they think @Tom @wellington

In the meantime I don’t suppose you’d mind including some more info on how you’re keeping them? It’s so helpful with newer members! And photos of your full set up would be great!

How are your temperatures reading both day and night?

What kind of lighting/heating are you using? Packaging photos are handy!

What kind of indoor uv?

How are your humidity levels?

Is that orchid bark you use?

How’s their diet been with you? I have a great list I can share with a bunch of stuff we feed ours if you want to check it out for some variety ideas

Also may I ask what made the vet want to worm the tortoise? Was a fecal sample ran? Any worrying symptoms that made you want to deworm?

Hi, thanks! ooh I actually don't have a photo because I'm out right now but as for the other info:
1. Outdoor enclosure that gets natural sunlight in the AM. I don't keep him indoors as I live in a tropical country and the temps and humidity are pretty good w/ a little tweaking.
2. Humidity is 75-85% right now its at 95% cause it's been raining.
3. Temps are 29-32 in the morning and 28 in the evening. Right now its at 26 cause of the rain
4. Substrate is orchid bark & coco coir.
5. He has plants in there - boston fern, spider plant, thyme, rosemary. A hide and water bowl + slate feeding plate.
6. He rarely burrows but he does when its colder (like now at 26 degrees and raining). He also isn't very active in this weather.
7. I soak him daily for 20 minutes.

Yes, the vet checked his stool. Didn't see any symptoms other than his poop was a bit runny for a few days.

He eats a mix of kale, mulberry leaves, hibiscus leaves and flowers, some fruits (berries, melons, mangoes, bananas). Calcium and mazuri as well as the occasional mushroom, chicken and fish.

He also gets supervised time to go around our yard where he grazes on bermuda grass.

Hope I'm not missing anything. Would love your input!

 

[Cordycord]

Could you try wrapping the meds with the soaked pellets into a roll of lettuce? Maybe smear some cucumber juice to make it more desirable.

It's actually in syrup form - I thought that would make it easier but apparently not. Let me try mashed up cucumber though! Thank you.

 

[wellington]

Does he do the clicking all the time?

 

[Cordycord]

Does he do the clicking all the time?

He just started a few days ago and only while eating.

 

[wellington]

I'm wondering if it's his tongue, making a clicking sound as it dislodges from being suctioned slightly to its mouth roof. Like a smacking sound like some humans do when they chew.
He looks great and from what I can see of his beak it looks good.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hi, thanks! ooh I actually don't have a photo because I'm out right now but as for the other info:
1. Outdoor enclosure that gets natural sunlight in the AM. I don't keep him indoors as I live in a tropical country and the temps and humidity are pretty good w/ a little tweaking.
2. Humidity is 75-85% right now its at 95% cause it's been raining.
3. Temps are 29-32 in the morning and 28 in the evening. Right now its at 26 cause of the rain
4. Substrate is orchid bark & coco coir.
5. He has plants in there - boston fern, spider plant, thyme, rosemary. A hide and water bowl + slate feeding plate.
6. He rarely burrows but he does when its colder (like now at 26 degrees and raining). He also isn't very active in this weather.
7. I soak him daily for 20 minutes.

Yes, the vet checked his stool. Didn't see any symptoms other than his poop was a bit runny for a few days.

He eats a mix of kale, mulberry leaves, hibiscus leaves and flowers, some fruits (berries, melons, mangoes, bananas). Calcium and mazuri as well as the occasional mushroom, chicken and fish.

He also gets supervised time to go around our yard where he grazes on bermuda grass.

Hope I'm not missing anything. Would love your input!

Thank you for the additional info! Everything sounds pretty great can’t lie!

I think the only thing I’ll give you a heads up on is, it’s generally advised to have your guy in a indoor closed chamber set up whilst they’re a baby so you can control all the environmental factors yourself, as an adult your climate sounds absolutely perfect for themit’s just 32 is probably a bit too high for a baby and 75 humidity is on the lower side, ideally for one as young as yours you want 80+ humidity 24/7 all over to help keep a nice smooth shell growth your overall husbandry sounds great though which is always wonderful to read!and would definitely love to get a glimpse of your set up still! the plants sound a lovey addition in there

 

[Cordycord]

Thank you for the additional info! Everything sounds pretty great can’t lie!

I think the only thing I’ll give you a heads up on is, it’s generally advised to have your guy in a indoor closed chamber set up whilst they’re a baby so you can control all the environmental factors yourself, as an adult your climate sounds absolutely perfect for themit’s just 32 is probably a bit too high for a baby and 75 humidity is on the lower side, ideally for one as young as yours you want 80+ humidity 24/7 all over to help keep a nice smooth shell growth your overall husbandry sounds great though which is always wonderful to read!and would definitely love to get a glimpse of your set up still! the plants sound a lovey addition in there

Ooh how long are they considered babies? He’s almost 2 years old now.

 

[Cordycord]

I'm wondering if it's his tongue, making a clicking sound as it dislodges from being suctioned slightly to its mouth roof. Like a smacking sound like some humans do when they chew.
He looks great and from what I can see of his beak it looks good.

Hmm it doesn’t seem like it’s the tongue. I kinda see the beak moving when it clicks. Cant really tell on the video though. His beak doesn’t look long to me either but wonder what it could be

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Ooh how long are they considered babies? He’s almost 2 years old now.

I suppose I use the term baby a bit loosely but under a year is a hatchling and under two is a yearling, which is a baby in my eyesit’s generally advised to keep them in a closed chamber up till around the age of 3+

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

It is more about size than the age, though I don't know what the measurements are for redfoots. What size is your tortoise (measure the bottom of the shell from where the tail starts to where the neck starts)

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Redfoots often make such clicks on purpose. I'm not sure why - maybe checking/calling for others in the area. A very generic reaction for many situations, like "OMG".

 

[Cordycord]

I suppose I use the term baby a bit loosely but under a year is a hatchling and under two is a yearling, which is a baby in my eyesit’s generally advised to keep them in a closed chamber up till around the age of 3+

Ooh I see. Would be kinda tricky to have him in a closed chamber with our heat and humidity here. But I’ll have to find a way to keep the humidity up. Maybe spray more often

 

[Cordycord]

It is more about size than the age, though I don't know what the measurements are for redfoots. What size is your tortoise (measure the bottom of the shell from where the tail starts to where the neck starts)

Oh, he is 4.3 inches.

 

[Cordycord]

Redfoots often make such clicks on purpose. I'm not sure why - maybe checking/calling for others in the area. A very generic reaction for many situations, like "OMG".

Oh wow no way. Is done with their beaks or their tongues?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Oh wow no way. Is done with their beaks or their tongues?

As far as I know, they push lower beak against top beak.. Like you can click with your thumb and middle finger.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Oh, he is 4.3 inches.

I think under 6 inches is still a juvenile.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Oh, he is 4.3 inches.

I believe it’s once they’re around 10 inches, it is definitely more about size, just gave a rough age estimate for when they’re around that size