- Joined
- Oct 22, 2013
- Messages
- 5
I've come on this forum for information every once in a while in the past, but never found the need to make an account. It's unfortunate that my first post be made under such circumstances.
I've had a baby leopard tortoise for about 9 months now. This was my first tortoise, but I have raised turtles for the past ~17 years since I was a kid. My first turtle is still with me, a 17+ year old male red-eared slider and still going strong. This leopard tortoise has been doing fine for the time I've had it as far as I could tell.
Last week, I decided to upgrade its enclosure as it was starting to get a little larger. I used ground coconut substrate, and made sure to include shade and a water dish. I soak my tortoise every day, with few exceptions. Just today, I upgraded the heating bulb to a 75 watt bulb to accommodate the larger habitat along with the UV bulb.
Big mistake.
The bulb was about 13-14in away, and temperatures could not have exceeded 90 degrees from what I could tell. At first, the tortoise seemed happy with the new setup. I checked back on it in about an hour after turning the new light on and it seemed fine and active. About an hour and a half later, when I went to feed it, it seemed like it was sleeping out in the open. It was then I noticed there was some substrate stuck on its face. I picked it up to take a look, and noticed that it was a little hot to the touch. I immediately put it in a dish of room-temperature water to soak and cool off. However, it was unresponsive. Its head and front limbs are partially retracted, and its eyes are closed. It doesn't appear to be breathing.
This all happened about an hour ago, and nothing's changed. It's still completely unresponsive. I'm fairly sure it's gone, but how long should I wait until I bury it?
Just feel like crap at the moment, was looking to make my tortoise's life better and ended up killing it. As they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Don't know what I'll do with this new enclosure and all this tortoise stuff now. Don't think I'll want to get another tortoise anytime soon. Maybe I'll raise some hermit crabs it.
I've had a baby leopard tortoise for about 9 months now. This was my first tortoise, but I have raised turtles for the past ~17 years since I was a kid. My first turtle is still with me, a 17+ year old male red-eared slider and still going strong. This leopard tortoise has been doing fine for the time I've had it as far as I could tell.
Last week, I decided to upgrade its enclosure as it was starting to get a little larger. I used ground coconut substrate, and made sure to include shade and a water dish. I soak my tortoise every day, with few exceptions. Just today, I upgraded the heating bulb to a 75 watt bulb to accommodate the larger habitat along with the UV bulb.
Big mistake.
The bulb was about 13-14in away, and temperatures could not have exceeded 90 degrees from what I could tell. At first, the tortoise seemed happy with the new setup. I checked back on it in about an hour after turning the new light on and it seemed fine and active. About an hour and a half later, when I went to feed it, it seemed like it was sleeping out in the open. It was then I noticed there was some substrate stuck on its face. I picked it up to take a look, and noticed that it was a little hot to the touch. I immediately put it in a dish of room-temperature water to soak and cool off. However, it was unresponsive. Its head and front limbs are partially retracted, and its eyes are closed. It doesn't appear to be breathing.
This all happened about an hour ago, and nothing's changed. It's still completely unresponsive. I'm fairly sure it's gone, but how long should I wait until I bury it?
Just feel like crap at the moment, was looking to make my tortoise's life better and ended up killing it. As they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Don't know what I'll do with this new enclosure and all this tortoise stuff now. Don't think I'll want to get another tortoise anytime soon. Maybe I'll raise some hermit crabs it.
