could someone please help!!! (not eating)

[Emma1521]

I have a baby sulcata and I need someone to help me answer all of my questions about what is going on with him/her. For one he/her has stopped eating which really has me worried. 2 the shell is starting to become soft. Now I have read a lot about them and when I got on here I can't lie I feel like I know absolutely nothing at all...... I have no idea what a baby food bath is, and some of the bedding you guys are talking about has me at a complete loss... would someone please help me figure out what is going on with my baby!!! I guess what I need to know is what is the best bedding, food, and how to do these baths. I am starting to feel like a baby reptile mom. Snakes I seem to have under control but this not so much!! So any advice will be more than welcome!!! Thank you in advance!

 

[Herman_WA]

May we first see some pics of your tortoise and enclosure?
Also when did you get him/her?
It could just be getting used to everything that could be why it is not eating.

 

[NorCal tortoise guy]

Baby food baths are carrot baby food mixed with worm water and the tortoise soaks in it for 30 min a day or so really helps get some needed vitamins in them

 

[Yvonne G]

In order for a tortoise to grow strong bones and shell he needs calcium. To make the calcium do its job in the tortoise's body there needs to be UVB, either from a GOOD UVB light or from the sun. The fact that your baby's shell is softening tells me one or both of those things are missing.

 

[JoesMum]

I have a baby sulcata and I need someone to help me answer all of my questions about what is going on with him/her. For one he/her has stopped eating which really has me worried. 2 the shell is starting to become soft. Now I have read a lot about them and when I got on here I can't lie I feel like I know absolutely nothing at all...... I have no idea what a baby food bath is, and some of the bedding you guys are talking about has me at a complete loss... would someone please help me figure out what is going on with my baby!!! I guess what I need to know is what is the best bedding, food, and how to do these baths. I am starting to feel like a baby reptile mom. Snakes I seem to have under control but this not so much!! So any advice will be more than welcome!!! Thank you in advance!

I agree with Yvonne. What you are describing suggests lack of Calcium, lack of UVB or both.

Please read this care sheet and compare it with your setup.

Photos of your enclosure and lighting will help us to help you further.

The Best Way To Raise A Sulcata, Leopard, Or Star Tortoise

Hi Tom, I just got a yearling Leopard tortoise and just wanted to ask for your advice on a couple of things: 1. Have you got any experience with the high white kind? Any husbandry practices that can increase chances (e.g. Temp, Shorter exposure to sunlight, etc)? 2. I was also told Leopards get...

www.tortoiseforum.org

 

[Lyn W]

Hi you've come to the right place. You'll get all the help you need here but members need more information and a picture of your enclosure would give us a good idea of how he is being housed.

Also other things that will help members help you are -

What heat and UVB sources are you using for day and night?
What are his temperatures?
What do you feed him?
Do you add any supplements like calcium?

We have all made mistakes and had to make changes to give our torts the best care so don't worry about being criticised just be ready to make any changes recommended. The fact you are asking for help shows how much you care about your tort and the sooner you give the full picture the sooner your tort can get better.