Completely New

[Nalleytort]

hi guys new here from Alabama. Just got our new little sulcata. A guy here gets them from a breeder in Cali and sells them local. We read a few threads here and have him in a semi enclosed tote and try to keep the temps around 80 with 80% humidity. He’s been staying in the garage because it’s warmer and has the Alabama humidity also. So we have had him 4 days. He hasn’t eaten one bit. He’s almost like narcoleptic the only time he’ll actually move is when he’s out in the grass. As soon as he’s in his enclosure he goes to sleep and only moves to turn around or get under his hide. He’s in very moist eco earth substrate. Was told he’s about 4 months old he’s about 3 inches long. We let him soak 15-30 mins a day. It just seems Like his eyes are shut and he’s sleeping 99.9% of the day and are scared because he isn’t eating. Any pointers or help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[T Smart]

Hi, welcome

You said temperatures in the 80s, but does your little guy have a basking spot?

Also, are you providing UVB? What are you feeding?

 

[Maro2Bear]

Greetings...welcome to the Forum.

Not sure if you found this link yet?

But this link and others under the Sulcata provide a ton of info on max/min temps, lighting, heating, substrate,soaking, humidity, types of food to provide or not provide...etc.

https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

Try to upload a pix of your enclosure too...

Happy torting

 

[Nalleytort]

He has a basking spot and a uvb but he has gotten several hours in the sun twice in the 4 days we’ve had him. We’ve tried feeding hay grass kale strawberries and carrots. He might have munched on a blade of grass outside once.... other than that nothing. He doesn’t move hardly at all in his enclosure. And he has a basking light. His enclosure is small but it’s temporary.

 

[Nalleytort]

This is all he’s done

 

[Nalleytort]

Worried about him

 

[Maro2Bear]

He has a basking spot and a uvb but he has gotten several hours in the sun twice in the 4 days we’ve had him. We’ve tried feeding hay grass kale strawberries and carrots. He might have munched on a blade of grass outside once.... other than that nothing. He doesn’t move hardly at all in his enclosure. And he has a basking light. His enclosure is small but it’s temporary.

• Hey there....take a good read on what to feed young sullies... hatchlings won’t touch hay (usually), and strawberries and carrots really shouldnt be fed (too much sugar).

• Make sure your temps day and night are right (minimum 80f), and make sure you are soaking in nice warm water daily for 20-30 mins.

• With small enclosures,,,it’s very hard to maintain the right temperature and humidity day and night. Check your temps....and those round tempersture gsuges are VERY innaccurate. So be careful.

It does take some time for a new, baby tortoise to settle in to a routine. Sleeping, eating, crawling around, soaking, etc. might still be scared from all the new things....and maybe too much handling, etc.

Good luck..

 

[Minority2]

Worried about him

Take your tortoise to an experienced exotics vet as soon as you can. The inability to open their eyes can mean several things. Unsafe UV(B) bulb, incorrect temperature levels, and even previous level of care can attribute to the problems your tortoise is currently facing.

Use these care sheets as a guideline to change whatever is needed. I strongly suggest replacing that small and cluttered enclosure for a roomier one:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

 

[Yvonne G]

I'm afraid they've sold you a pretty sick little tortoise. If you don't want to try to get your money back, or a different animal, and if you want to try to save this one, then he needs a good tortoise vet. In the meantime, soak him in half and half Gerber strained carrots and warm water for 30-45 minutes a day. Make sure his whole enclosure is 85F degrees, day and night. Don't take him outside. Consider his enclosure a hospital enclosure and keep him in there. You can even place the soaking bowl back into the enclosure so the water stays warm.