@Tom @Markw84What does "new growth" on a baby tortoise look like?
We have two potted hibiscus plants that we've been feeding Rocky leaves from. Also some wild honeysuckle leaves and clover. Also some radish and carrot greens. These other plants that you recommended, any idea where I might find them in Indiana? A non-store bought diet in Indiana has seemed tricky so far. Our property is surrounded by some wooded areas but I don't know what most of the ground growth actually is. I'm scared I'll poison Rocky or make things worse if I just pick some random greens from the woods.
Here's a picture from another thread. It is one of @Pearly 's tortoises. We were talking about marbling, but it does show a nice example of good growth on a youngish tortoise. I wanted to use this as your Testudo would have similar coloration to the new growth as opposed to my stars or sulcatas. You can see how the seams between the scutes are separating and the very light colored seam is new keratin forming. That is what you are looking for to indicate good, new growth.
For now you need a good scale that reads to one gram min. I would weigh weekly and look for the beginning of an upward trend. Weigh at the same time each week such as after a soak. Weekly can show ups and downs but over the course of a month there should be a gain. I look for tortoises their first two years to gain in the range of 5%-10% per month.Well, Rocky definitely has no new growth at all. However, he is likely only around 4 months old. At what age is growth typically visible @Markw84 ?
For now you need a good scale that reads to one gram min. I would weigh weekly and look for the beginning of an upward trend. Weigh at the same time each week such as after a soak. Weekly can show ups and downs but over the course of a month there should be a gain. I look for tortoises their first two years to gain in the range of 5%-10% per month.
With a healthy tortoise, you will see visible growth seams within a month. Just keep in mind, tortoises not started properly will often fall considerably behind these marks.
Rocky seems to be getting worse. His shell seems to be getting even softer up the sides and even onto the edges of his top shell. He seems lethargic and I feel like he is suffering :-(
At night he normally finds some sort of shelter or coverage. Last night he slept by the side of his food dish, out in the open. Kind of sticks his head and legs out and just lays them on the coconut coir.
I don't know what else to do for him. Better diet, more sunlight, moist/humid environment haven't helped.
@Tom @Markw84