Eyes shut again!
- Thread starter Ardelle
- Start date
Too dry. He is in trouble and needs for you to provide him with the correct conditions or I am sorry to say that he will likely not survive. This is my opinion based on what I have learned right here over years from very experienced people.
Sorry what should it be then? Hes a horsefeild so I thought this was correct
I have also got him a vets appointment tomorrow, my only concern is they have had to double book to get twigs seen so could be waiting up to a hour,
How do I keep him warm? It has been warm in general this week (based in the uk)
Is taking him in a box with some substrate to bury in suitable?
How do I keep him warm? It has been warm in general this week (based in the uk)
Is taking him in a box with some substrate to bury in suitable?
From experts here, I have understood something about baby tortoises no matter what species, and that is that they survive by hiding most of the time. Hiding in humid, warm, places, under leaves and plants etc. They don't survive by being out in dry open spaces and cannot tolerate such conditions as if they were adult or older juveniles. They need higher humidity and they get it by hiding when in the wild, or by being provided with a closed chamber by their owner along with all their other captive requirements. That is what I have understood. Also, I hope the vet you plan to take him to is a good reputable one with experience with tortoises.
Hi, I added a plant pot hide a suggested and plants, He did used to have a bark hide ect but I had to remove as he was topping himself over.
Where I am it has been extremely difficult to find exotic vets however this was the only one I could find.
I will be cautious about allowing them to inject or anything.
I am trying my best to right what it is that’s upsetting him
Where I am it has been extremely difficult to find exotic vets however this was the only one I could find.
I will be cautious about allowing them to inject or anything.
I am trying my best to right what it is that’s upsetting him
Most tortoise problems are because of things we do or don't do for our torts - did anyone link this caresheet for you before
tortoiseforum.org
That tells you what conditions you should provide for your tort to help him thrive and if you follow that he should do better. There is a lot of old incorrect information online so stick to advice here which is from keepers with decades of experience some of whom have been involved in research so they know what they are talking about.
You also need a reliable digital thermometer/hygrometer to make sure your temps are correct at tort level; a digital temp gun is also great for spot checking temps around the enclosure. The sort you have are sold by pet shops but they are not very accurate so not recommended.
The temps in the UK are unusually high at the moment with another heatwave here, so I wonder if your tort is actually too warm and he is aestivating (prolonged dormancy during hot, dry periods). Hopefully a member more experienced with that can tell you if that is a real possibility and depends on your temps.
Do you take him outside for any short, supervised outdoor time?
If you visit the vet make sure s/he is a reptile specialist and if vitamin jabs are suggested I would decline unless they have done bloods and tests to see if they definitely needed, because they can cause more harm than good. Vitamins should come from a good diet.
The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise
I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...
tortoiseforum.org
You also need a reliable digital thermometer/hygrometer to make sure your temps are correct at tort level; a digital temp gun is also great for spot checking temps around the enclosure. The sort you have are sold by pet shops but they are not very accurate so not recommended.
The temps in the UK are unusually high at the moment with another heatwave here, so I wonder if your tort is actually too warm and he is aestivating (prolonged dormancy during hot, dry periods). Hopefully a member more experienced with that can tell you if that is a real possibility and depends on your temps.
Do you take him outside for any short, supervised outdoor time?
If you visit the vet make sure s/he is a reptile specialist and if vitamin jabs are suggested I would decline unless they have done bloods and tests to see if they definitely needed, because they can cause more harm than good. Vitamins should come from a good diet.
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Just read through your previous posts - I'm not sure if aestivation is likely now but I think your heating and lighting could need attention.
Are you just using the uvb strip light now?
What are his temps overnight ?
I think you need Tom's full explanation of heating and lighting so I'll tag him @Tom.
Are you just using the uvb strip light now?
What are his temps overnight ?
I think you need Tom's full explanation of heating and lighting so I'll tag him @Tom.
Hi thank you for taking the time to reply, he is in my
Living room so night time temps stay above 19c at the moment.
I have swapped back to the strip light and also a 100w flood light for heat.
He has stopped eating yesterday and in his long soak yesterday no urates or poop.
I am at my wits end.
Yes he comes out about twice a week for some natural uvb a new outdoor run has just been delivered this morning so am hoping to get him out more.
I have put some dandilions and butternut squash out for him today but he isn’t showing any interest at all
Have a read of the care sheet linked .. Vet trip will help to check eyes and welfare. I would suggest changing from tortoise table to a closed vivarium. This will help you trap moisture and provide humid safe environment. If you look at swell reptiles on line they have 70% deals which may help.
www.reptiles.swelluk.com
You buy the biggest and over time you may need to get a carpenter to extend as he grows he needs more space but that is future concerns. Let us know how vet went.
VivExotic Repti Home Compact Vivarium Large Walnut
Compact large walnut vivarium for Bearded dragons and Corn snakes Easy to assemble flat-pack kit Large, heat-toughened glass doors
www.reptiles.swelluk.com
You buy the biggest and over time you may need to get a carpenter to extend as he grows he needs more space but that is future concerns. Let us know how vet went.
Read the caresheet and check that your temps are within the ranges given with a good thermometer at his level so that he isn't too hot or cold.
Babies should only have short supervised outdoor time. Tom has a rule about how long for each inch of tortoise for babies, but I can't remember what that is - it may be in the caresheet, but I'll see if I can find it. If he gets a few hours of sunshine a week then the uvb light will not be needed indoors yet. I'm only using mine when there's little sun about.
Make sure the outdoor enclosure is covered with something like chicken wire so that your tort is safe from predators and big birds. He will also need a sheltered area in it and water available.
Babies should only have short supervised outdoor time. Tom has a rule about how long for each inch of tortoise for babies, but I can't remember what that is - it may be in the caresheet, but I'll see if I can find it. If he gets a few hours of sunshine a week then the uvb light will not be needed indoors yet. I'm only using mine when there's little sun about.
Make sure the outdoor enclosure is covered with something like chicken wire so that your tort is safe from predators and big birds. He will also need a sheltered area in it and water available.
Hi, thank you I will check out the site, I was told not to get closed when I had him hence why I got the open top.
I have purchased a run with a top and also will put a hide and water bowl inside.
Am hoping the vets can help him
But will be careful.
I have purchased a run with a top and also will put a hide and water bowl inside.
Am hoping the vets can help him
But will be careful.
I think a cardboard box lined with paper towels, with a good layer of substrate would be fine, especially in this weather - he won't get cold. Wrap a cotton towel round the box as well.
Good luck to you and twigs
Angie
Thank you 😊
