hab321
New Member
Good Morning All. I think I need some assistance. I live in North Florida. Back in August I bought a couple of Burmese Star Tortoises at the Daytona Breeders Expo. I decided on these after a couple year break from a Sri Lankan star. She was doing great for about 6 months. Eating, growing and just a pleasure to have. Sadly, I made a serious mistake and she was killed by my rottweiler. I pretty much swore off of tortoises at that point. Mind you I have worked in pet stores and have kept a wide variety of reptiles and fish. I am by far no expert, but not a novice either.
On to my current issues. The breeder of the two stars I bought was from Miami. At his table I purchased the two most active torts I saw. I kept them in a 10 gallon tank to observe them for a week. They were fine, good solid poops and bright eyed and active. Once cleared them from there I transferred them to an outside pen I built (made from 2x8s). The pen is small enough to move around to different areas of my backyard. I also brought them in at night (keeping them in the 10 gallon tank). No issues noted for the first 2 months. Cool weather started to reach us at this point. I decided to bring them inside with breaks outside for a couple of hours (as long as the temp was above 70 degrees). I did read the post by Tom on feeding, housing and light conditions. I followed them pretty much to a T. The only problem I have space constraints (I know, I know). I put them in the same 20 long tank I kept my Sri Lankan in. I did not think there would be a major issue. I built a solid top with cutouts for a 30" florescent UVB bulb, a cutout for an incandescent UVB bulb (as a basking spot) and lastly a cut out for a ceramic heat lamp. I put down reptibark as the bedding. Built a small humid hide for them. Put down a ceramic bowl with water. Basking area temp is 90, cool areas are around 80. Humidity averages 70%. I also put in a Pathos plant in case they wanted to nibble on it and it added a bit of greenery. I soak them daily for about 1/2 hour to 45 minutes.
Now for the problem I'm having. I feed them a wide variety of grocery bought greens. Mustard, collard, spring mix, hibiscus leaves and flowers, cactus pads as a natural diet. I have tried Mazuri Tortoise LS diet (wetted down) mushed it up and left it as a pellet. They do not like this at all. I have seen them eat a little bit, then spit it out. I also have fed them Flukers land tort food (soaked). This is about the only thing they eat now. They ate the fresh greens regularly but then started backing off. I have mixed the Flukers in with the greens and now they simply eat the Flukers and nothing else.
I also have noticed that they seem to "scratch" their eyes when waking up. Their eyes are not puffy, bulging or dry. They are bright and clear once open.
When I soak them they sometimes poop, sometimes not. I have not seen any poops in the bedding, but I will be paying greater attention to that in the future. I was weighing and measuring them almost daily, but have backed off. Initially they were 26 and 30 grams. They got to 32 and 38 grams and have stopped putting on weight.
The weight issue, sleeping and eye scratching are my main concerns. If anyone has any suggestions I would REALLY appreciate the help.
Many thanks in advance!!
Andy
On to my current issues. The breeder of the two stars I bought was from Miami. At his table I purchased the two most active torts I saw. I kept them in a 10 gallon tank to observe them for a week. They were fine, good solid poops and bright eyed and active. Once cleared them from there I transferred them to an outside pen I built (made from 2x8s). The pen is small enough to move around to different areas of my backyard. I also brought them in at night (keeping them in the 10 gallon tank). No issues noted for the first 2 months. Cool weather started to reach us at this point. I decided to bring them inside with breaks outside for a couple of hours (as long as the temp was above 70 degrees). I did read the post by Tom on feeding, housing and light conditions. I followed them pretty much to a T. The only problem I have space constraints (I know, I know). I put them in the same 20 long tank I kept my Sri Lankan in. I did not think there would be a major issue. I built a solid top with cutouts for a 30" florescent UVB bulb, a cutout for an incandescent UVB bulb (as a basking spot) and lastly a cut out for a ceramic heat lamp. I put down reptibark as the bedding. Built a small humid hide for them. Put down a ceramic bowl with water. Basking area temp is 90, cool areas are around 80. Humidity averages 70%. I also put in a Pathos plant in case they wanted to nibble on it and it added a bit of greenery. I soak them daily for about 1/2 hour to 45 minutes.
Now for the problem I'm having. I feed them a wide variety of grocery bought greens. Mustard, collard, spring mix, hibiscus leaves and flowers, cactus pads as a natural diet. I have tried Mazuri Tortoise LS diet (wetted down) mushed it up and left it as a pellet. They do not like this at all. I have seen them eat a little bit, then spit it out. I also have fed them Flukers land tort food (soaked). This is about the only thing they eat now. They ate the fresh greens regularly but then started backing off. I have mixed the Flukers in with the greens and now they simply eat the Flukers and nothing else.
I also have noticed that they seem to "scratch" their eyes when waking up. Their eyes are not puffy, bulging or dry. They are bright and clear once open.
When I soak them they sometimes poop, sometimes not. I have not seen any poops in the bedding, but I will be paying greater attention to that in the future. I was weighing and measuring them almost daily, but have backed off. Initially they were 26 and 30 grams. They got to 32 and 38 grams and have stopped putting on weight.
The weight issue, sleeping and eye scratching are my main concerns. If anyone has any suggestions I would REALLY appreciate the help.
Many thanks in advance!!
Andy