Concerned - Unactive tortoise

[derf]

Lately my russian has been very inactive, she never comes out of her hide, not even to bask. I thought this was to it just being winter (i didnt hiberate) but now its May shes still the same. Anyone got any ponters? I keep the table at about 68-70 degrees and feed a range of 'salady' veg. Could this be anything to do with the substrate i use - alfalfa (eating it), which i just found out is too high in protein so im changed this promptly!! Im currently building an outside pen which im hoping she'll be more active in. She is still very active when i handle her.
thanks

 

[Maggie Cummings]

I don't think she's warm enough. Does she have a hot basking spot? 95 degrees? They need to be able to get hot to get their metabolism going, and it sounds to me that she is not hot enough. If I am understanding you correctly your substrate is hay? That's not good either. Get some eco earth and mix it with sand, or cypress mulch or fine grade orchid bark. Any of those would be better for her. I use a combination of orchid bark and cypress mulch for my Natasha and I make it kinda humid in her hide. Everybody says she's too fat...but she's active and happy so that must count for something. Anyhow, change her substrate and up her temp and see if that doesn't make it better for her...

 

[derf]

I don't think she's warm enough. Does she have a hot basking spot? 95 degrees? They need to be able to get hot to get their metabolism going, and it sounds to me that she is not hot enough. If I am understanding you correctly your substrate is hay? That's not good either. Get some eco earth and mix it with sand, or cypress mulch or fine grade orchid bark. Any of those would be better for her. I use a combination of orchid bark and cypress mulch for my Natasha and I make it kinda humid in her hide. Everybody says she's too fat...but she's active and happy so that must count for something. Anyhow, change her substrate and up her temp and see if that doesn't make it better for her...

thanks alot for the the advice, ill try it now. I was thinking of investing into a heat pad, would that make is easier. I was cautous about making it too humid due the risk of respiratory problems

 

[jlyoncc1]

I would have to agree with Maggie. She is probably not warm enough. I do not recommend a heat pad though. You need to get a different basking light like a mega-ray. If you show us pics of your enclosure we can help with better info.

 

[tortoisenerd]

Agreed. No heating pad, and you need a temperature gradient from the 70 to 95. Please provide pictures if possible, and tell us what lighting and heating you are currently using. Then, we can make some suggestions and get the tort active again! Best wishes.

Please also explain in detail what you feed.

 

[Maggie Cummings]

We are all agreed...no heating pad. You can either invest in an expensive bulb or a clamp light fixture with a 100 watt incandescent bulb and that will heat her up fast...Just a regular 100 watt bulb...then we can work on whatever else you think you need...

 

[joseydiann]

I was going to ask the same, my new Russians want to sleep 24/7 they hide all day long. I never ever see them out and about walking. When I wake them up as soon as I sit them back down they go dig down and cover up again right away, makes me kinda sad..

I have 2 heat lamps the temp on the hot end is 93-95.. I have a small bowl big enough for them to get in and soak, a log, some hides, cuddle bone, UVB light, food dish, I put calcium dust on their salads, ect.. So what am I doing wrong with them?

 

[Maggie Cummings]

You have a good hot side, do you have a cool side? How old are they? Young animals will stay hidden because they are prey in the wild...

 

[Yvonne G]

I was going to ask the same, my new Russians want to sleep 24/7 they hide all day long. I never ever see them out and about walking. When I wake them up as soon as I sit them back down they go dig down and cover up again right away, makes me kinda sad..

I have 2 heat lamps the temp on the hot end is 93-95.. I have a small bowl big enough for them to get in and soak, a log, some hides, cuddle bone, UVB light, food dish, I put calcium dust on their salads, ect.. So what am I doing wrong with them?

When you dust their food with calcium, just use a tiny bit...just a pinch. What kinds of things are you offering the Russians? In the wild they eat mostly broad-leafed plants and weeds with a bit of grass. My Russians only get what's growing in their outdoor pen, however if I have one in the hospital tank, I use the Spring Mix from the grocery store and they really go for it.

Your guys just might be really afraid because they're new to captivity or new to your house. After you've checked your feeding and your husbandry and you feel it is all good, then you just have to wait for them to get used to living with you.

When you put down the food, dig them out and put them in front of it. Then quickly get out of sight. Later on, when you're walking by, dig them out and put them by the food again. And keep doing this throughout the day. They'll soon realize that you aren't going to hurt them.

Good luck with them, and keep us informed.

Yvonne

 

[joseydiann]

Cool side is around 75-80 depends on the weather lately.. They are both around 5 inches, but no one know the age I got them online.

I just use a tiny pinch of dust on their greens. They eat alot of grass and weeds from outside but I also offer a mixed salad that they also eat daily. The salad mixture has parsley, mustard greens, colored greens, kale, squash, lettuce, humm think that's about it. They also like the tort pellets that you soak in water. But their fav is dandelions..

Oh they have no problem eating at all, they eat ALOT every day but go right back to sleep..

 

[Yvonne G]

Oh they have no problem eating at all, they eat ALOT every day but go right back to sleep..

Then my thought on the subject is that they are wary in the habitat. Maybe its a little too open? Give them time. Eventually they will realize that nothing bad is going to happen to them and they will become more outgoing.

Yvonne

 

[joseydiann]

I have them in a large kiddie pool, it's pretty big. But I also have logs and hides for them to go in. I sure hope they start to feel safe soon, I really enjoy watching them.

 

[Maggie Cummings]

Remember these are tortoises who's main diet consists of broadleaf weeds. They don't normally graze on grass. Can you pick some dandelions for them? I bet if you could feed weeds and make that habitat so that it is not so open like placing a piece of lattice across the top, or something like that they will be more active. Small tortoises are generally considered prey so they don't spend much time in the open, then predators come from above and that's how you are looking at them, from above like a predator. So you may see a difference if you feed more broadleaf weeds and cover part of the habitat...JMHO...

 

[joseydiann]

Dandelions?? Oh yes they eat a handful every day lol even if I don't take them out I go pick them from the yard, but yes when I take them out in the sun the eat alot of weeds and grass, then I still offer salads when they come back in and they usually eat some of that too..