Feeding problems with Morty

[HuyckB04]

All winter long, I was diligent about maintaining heat and humidity in my Russian Tortoise's enclosure. He slept a LOT this winter, but always had a healthy appetite. Usually he would only come out of his hide to eat, then return to the hide. He typically ate everything I gave him. As for the water, he avoided it like the plague (but don't worry, he got baths twice a week).

Now that winter is over, I've made some adjustments to his habitat, moving his food dish to the far end to encourage some exercise. I've placed him near his food so that he knows where it is in relation to his hide. Lately, his appetite has all but vanished. For the last three weeks, his intake has been minimal. He typically only eats the most succulent part of the romaine lettuce and that is all. He continues to completely avoid the water dish. I've added some moist "Tortoise bites" to his food along with the calcium supplement powder to try and get a bit of additional nutrition to him, but he's just not interested. I am concerned about pestering him several times each day because I don't want to cause stress, but the little guy needs to eat! Today, at wits end, I placed him and his food in his bathing tub. He's in there right now and I can hear him eating periodically.

Is this typical behavior from a Russian, or should I be worried? It seems like feeding in the tub is working right now, but I don't want that to be a permanent solution. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Yvonne G]

When you make changes to a tortoise's environment there's always a period of adjustment for them. They don't take well to change. What's the weather like in Iowa now? Are you getting any warm sunshiney days yet? He needs to be put out in the sun. That does wonders for their mental well-being.

 

[HuyckB04]

When you make changes to a tortoise's environment there's always a period of adjustment for them. They don't take well to change. What's the weather like in Iowa now? Are you getting any warm sunshiney days yet? He needs to be put out in the sun. That does wonders for their mental well-being.

It has been pretty warm and I've been taking him outside for at least 30 minutes when I have days off. He's very active outside, but once he comes back in, he usually doesn't even more. He'll sit right where I put him, fall asleep, and stay there until the next time I move him. It's really bizzare.

 

[Tom]

What are you using for heating and lighting inside?

I have seen russians do this before when they are not hibernated. They don't all do it all of the time, but some of them do it some of the time. Not hibernating seems to throw their mind and body off. Its like their systems are telling them its time for a break. I don't have a solution other than to hibernate him next year and see if that makes a difference. Is he a wild caught pet store tortoise? I see it more in them than in non-hibernated CB tortoises.