Dried citrus leaves used as an insulation aide for brumation

Anet

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I added dried citrus leaves for added insulation along with dirt for my 3 year old sw tortoise who is going to soon brumate. Today, I noticed he is clacking, Could the leaves be the culprit, or do you think it could be a respiratory issue? This is my first experience with the brumation process. Thanks
 

Yvonne G

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Hi Anet: I'm curious what kind of tortoise a "sw tortoise" is?

I've never used citrus leaves, but I do use other edible leaves as brumation medium. In fact, yesterday I filled the desert tortoise brumation shelter with mulberry leaves then blocked the door for the winter.

I don't know about the clacking. Do you mean he's making noise when he breathes? or that his beak makes a noise when he opens his mouth? At any rate, dried leaves shouldn't cause a respiratory issue.

Tell us a little more about how you have this tortoise set up for the winter, and exactly what species it is and we're more than happy to help you.
 

Anet

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Thank you so much for your response. I have a 3 yr old desert tortoise. We live in southwest Arizona. He is getting ready for brumation and yesterday he was making a noise like a clicking sound. It was not a constant clicking.He clicked after his soak and when he was walking up to his brumation area. He walks up a low ladder to get to his spot. This is the first time I heard him do this. He doesn't open his mouth nor is there a discharge from his nose. His eyes look clear also. I thought perhaps the citrus leaves might have caused some kind of reaction. Good to know that someone else uses leaves for added insulation. Thanks again.
 

Yvonne G

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He might have a little piece of debris stuck up a nostril that clicks as air moves past it????? Hard to say what it is without seeing the tortoise in person.
 
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