Ive had the tortoise for 38yrs hes around 30cm in size, based in UK and very used to normal British weather. He hibernates every year, he spends almost all the time outside in the garden, free to roam. His diet is mainly dandelion, romaine lettuce, clover , weeds in grass, grapes
From Tue/Wednesday last week hes stopped eating, he may sniff the food but then moves away (in disgust!) wont drink from a water bowl or if sat in a bath. Hes urinated and pooped, which looks normal but not a lot as he hasnt been eating, eyes are bright and open, no runny nose, inside mouth looks normal, walks around but tends to sleep a lot. I usually bring him in everynight and normally hes climbing out his box first thing in desperation to get some sun, but for the last week hes been quite happy just to sit and stay in the box, he’s acting the same as he does prior to hibernation.
As you know weve been having a lot of hot weather lately, even in the shade its 27+C ,obviously normal for a med tortoise and very normal to hide out of sun all day but always early evening he feeds until this last week, at first I thought maybe hes eaten something and has upset stomach and so maybe he needs time to get over it and regain his appetite. But then I just read about estivation could it be this? hes never done it before but then to be fair hes never had a summer this hot for this long, always get cold days and rain.
Could it be something else? obviously a little concerened as his weight will start to drop and only have around 8 weeks before he starts to stop eating for hibernation and if it is estivation how long will it go on for before he starts eating again? With the hot weather due to last a few more weeks will he just eat when he’s good and ready?
From Tue/Wednesday last week hes stopped eating, he may sniff the food but then moves away (in disgust!) wont drink from a water bowl or if sat in a bath. Hes urinated and pooped, which looks normal but not a lot as he hasnt been eating, eyes are bright and open, no runny nose, inside mouth looks normal, walks around but tends to sleep a lot. I usually bring him in everynight and normally hes climbing out his box first thing in desperation to get some sun, but for the last week hes been quite happy just to sit and stay in the box, he’s acting the same as he does prior to hibernation.
As you know weve been having a lot of hot weather lately, even in the shade its 27+C ,obviously normal for a med tortoise and very normal to hide out of sun all day but always early evening he feeds until this last week, at first I thought maybe hes eaten something and has upset stomach and so maybe he needs time to get over it and regain his appetite. But then I just read about estivation could it be this? hes never done it before but then to be fair hes never had a summer this hot for this long, always get cold days and rain.
Could it be something else? obviously a little concerened as his weight will start to drop and only have around 8 weeks before he starts to stop eating for hibernation and if it is estivation how long will it go on for before he starts eating again? With the hot weather due to last a few more weeks will he just eat when he’s good and ready?
