Greek Tortoise

[GeneralGipsy]

Hello,

As I recieved thjs baby tortoise and found out that she is greek from this forum, the weather is cold in my country and I have been soaking her but she isnt moving much nor eating.

For the last 2 days there was some sun and not that cold winter weather which I exposed her to but starting next week it will be freezing outside.

Thats why I got this CHE and Calcium, can anybody advice in the right setup for this? I dont want the CHE to be fully above her in order to not overheat, also how should I go with the calcium as she is barely eating?

Appreciate your support and help as I have another one who is doing better and also older and been hibernating and when he wakes up I make sure to give him something to rehydrate but this baby one is scaring me as many like her dies in my country as people are unaware of how to treat them.

Thanks

 

[Lyn W]

The CHE should be run through a thermostat to make sure it turns off and on, in the right temp range and doesn't make the tort overheat. I have always used a wide reflector dome with mine to make sure the heat is directed down and not lost to the air.
Can you post pics of his enclosure to get advice for the best position etc. A good thermometer or digital temp gun will help you with the height of it above the tort.
What are you using for UVB?
You only need a small pinch of calcium a couple of time a week.
Meanwhile this is the up to date caresheet you need to help you get things right.

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

 

[GeneralGipsy]

The CHE should be run through a thermostat to make sure it turns off and on, in the right temp range and doesn't make the tort overheat. I have always used a wide reflector dome with mine to make sure the heat is directed down and not lost to the air.
Can you post pics of his enclosure to get advice for the best position etc. A good thermometer or digital temp gun will help you with the height of it above the tort.
What are you using for UVB?
You only need a small pinch of calcium a couple of time a week.
Meanwhile this is the up to date caresheet you need to help you get things right.

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

Thank you for the reply and sorry for the delay.

As I don't have a thermostat I have been directing it a bit far from her shell, and feel the temprature to make sure its not too hot...

Can you please send me a photo for the thermostat and how to apply it? also to the UVB as am not using any but planning to get.

Other than that, she has been better after the CHE and a bit more movement but she is not walking around and staying still... just when I soak her she moves a bit.

What worries me is the food, as I don't see her eating much nor at all, is that normal in the winter? or shall I do anything?

Thanks again

 

[Lyn W]

There are many versions available - if you google 'reptile thermostat' you'll can see the different versions. Some more expensive than others.
This is the sort I have

It as has 3 leads- from left to right
1 a plug for the mains electricity supply
2 a socket for the CHE to plug into
3 is the probe you put in the enclosure to monitor temps at tort level.

You set the dial to the recommended temp by turning a central screw and it will keep the temps even by turning the CHE on and off.
You have to make sure the wattage of the thermostat is compatible with the wattage of the CHE.

Be very careful using a CHE without a thermostat, torts can easily over heat and die.

Torts tend to be less active and eat less in winter especially if they are cold. They also need uvb especially over winter if they can't have outside time on warm sunny days.
I use this sort of kit which has a reflector- you mount it horizontally over the enclosure.

There are different brands available.
Hope that helps.

 

[MenagerieGrl]

Infrared temp gun's are also helpful....

 

[MenagerieGrl]

If tort's are not kept warm enough it affect's their health, digestion, food consumption and their activity

 

[MenagerieGrl]

@GeneralGipsy
Look's like you have a wee little one, you shouldn't wait on getting the correct warmth situation...

If you haven't seen this yet, I'd suggest reading this:

Greek Tortoise Care Guide

The Greek Tortoise Care Guide (Testudo graeca ssp) Chris Leone HermanniHaven.com GardenStateTortoise.com theTurtleRoom.com THIS CARE-SHEET IS DETAILED FOR A REASON. READ IT THOROUGHLY BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH OBTAINING A TORTOISE. Moroccan tortoise (Testudo graeca marokkensis) Introduction...

www.tortoiseforum.org