Finding Food in Vietnam

[bobthetortoise]

Hello,

I have inherited a baby sulcata from the teacher before me. I currently live in Vietnam and there are no reptile specialists or people who really know what they are talking about. Pet stores are mostly just about selling and don't have much care. I've read over the forum looking for information, but couldn't find much to help with these specifics.

From my understanding, he's only about 6-8 months old. He's about 8 cm long, 6 cm wide. Currently living in a dirt aquarium with a shallow pool and small enclosure to hide in. Temperatures are around 34 C under the lamp and 27 C on the other side. There is a UV light for him which I leave on during the day. I soak him twice a week.

I have 3 concerns:
- I don't see him eat much. It's tough because I can't get a lot of veggies or weeds that people can in the US. I went to store and bought anything dark green (I can't speak vietnamese and they are labeled that way), especially bok choi. Any other suggestions that I can get at a grocery store? He's not very active from what I see.
- His eyes appear to be a little swollen, but IDK because I've only had him a bit and they've been the same the whole time.
- The previous teacher told me he hasn't grown much. From what I read they grow a lot in the first year.

Thanks for the long distance help!

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hello, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum to you and Bob.
I fully understand your supermarket situation.
But there are many broad leafed weeds available like dandelions and sow thistle that can be found in most places.
Also you can use http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/site/tortoise_home_1.asp
as a good general guide to what's edible.
I also like http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/nutrientanalysis.htm
the ones in bold are the best.
A photo of the eyes may be useful if you can manage it.
I'd up the temperature by a couple of degrees, try not to let it drop below 29° at any time for now.
What are you using for UVB ? Coiled or compact bulbs can cause eye problems or blindness in tortoises.
And if you have sand in your substrate that may be a problem.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome to the Forum!

Don't be thinking about foods we can get in the U.S., be thinking about what types of things may grow in Africa, where the tortoise comes from.

You can feed him any dark, leafy greens that are available in the produce section of your grocery store, but go easy on the spinach.

He's not active because he's not warm enough. And his eyes are starting to swell because he's not eating.

Read up on sulcata care here:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

and here:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/african-spurred-tortoise-sulcata-care-sheet.52524/

. . . and get that tortoise set up properly before he really gets sick.

 

[Kapidolo Farms]

Where in Vietnam are you. Tortoises as pets may or may not be so easy to find care info on, but there are many great places to get into and food.

There are many leaf eating monkeys in Vietnam, that can be a guide to some extent on what leaves can be fed. At Cuc Phoung they have a turtle and tortoise rescue place, There is the Asian Turtle network. These places are about wildlife, but those people also know about captive care as they spend much time caring for rescued wild tortoises.

The primary difference is sulcata tend to eat more grasses than leaves, but they eat leaves too.

 

[bobthetortoise]

Thanks for your replies and I apologize for my ignorance. As I said I just inherited Bob and want the best for him. Here's a picture of his eyes (open and closed). I've lowered the heat lamp for him so that the space will get warmer.

His nails are very long (pic) is that ok too?

 

[bobthetortoise]

One more thing, I don't think I have the proper UV light (same as pic). Can someone show me the proper kind on Amazon and I'll try to find one here. I just don't want to get a coil or compact that is wrong. Thanks again

 

[Yvonne G]

This one:



OR this one:



DO NOT USE THE CURLY SHAPED BULBS.

 

[bobthetortoise]

EMERGENCY HELP please.

I have changed UV lights, increased types of food and temperatures are around 36-38 degrees.

I just checked the underside of his shell and where the four plates meet is soft (i can push in a couple millimeters). What do I do? I'm trying to do best for the little guy I inherited. I'm taking him to a vet, but it's just a regular dog/cat vet so I don't have high hopes.

Help please!

 

[bobthetortoise]

Also, he's not eating and very lethargic.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Has the shell actually just got a bit of give in it, or actually soft and spongy ?
A little bit of movement and flexibility when they're young is normal.
However, the lethargy and not eating are worrying.
I don't keep sulcatas but it sounds a bit hot to me.
Ambient temps of 27 to 32 would be more normal with about 30, ideal as I understand.

 

[TammyJ]

I understand that a lukewarm (slightly warm) soak in a (shallow) bath of carrot baby food and water for about a half hour each day, or twice per day, would do him some good. Others here are more knowledgeable than me about this.

 

[bobthetortoise]

Bob died today. I'm so sorry. I did everything I could and I think he starved to death. I fed him through a syringe on Friday, but he wouldn't eat this week. I'm sorry.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

I am very sorry for your loss.
Condolences.