Hatchling eyes closed a lot

[lillythetortii]

One month old hatchling has his eyes closed a lot! How much do hatchlings sleep? Should i be concerned if 75% of the time i check on him his eyes are closed? I’m a crazy momma and check almost every hour. Also, one time when he opened his eyes after a nap his entire head got wet, like water came out of the eye

 

[Yvonne G]

When you pick him up his eyes should open. Something's not right. Please read the care sheet for baby sulcatas and make changes to the way you care for this baby. Closed eyes are a warning you must act quickly.

https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Is the substrate or the lighting a possible eye irritant?
Can you post photos of the enclosure, etc?
Babies that get sick, are less likely to recover than robust adults and action must be taken fast.
Photos can help us with a theory.

 

[lillythetortii]

Is the substrate or the lighting a possible eye irritant?
Can you post photos of the enclosure, etc?
Babies that get sick, are less likely to recover than robust adults and action must be taken fast.
Photos can help us with a theory.

 

[lillythetortii]

What do you think about that? Also is it normal for him to sleep right under the basking light? Ah! I feel so helpless not knowing what’s wrong!

 

[Tom]

What are your four temperatures? Warm side, cool side, overnight low and basking area?

I only see one heat lamp on top. Any UV? What are you doing for night heat?

Where did you get this baby and was it started with the dry routine or the wet routine?

Read these and see what changes you might need to make:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

 

[lillythetortii]

What are your four temperatures? Warm side, cool side, overnight low and basking area?

I only see one heat lamp on top. Any UV? What are you doing for night heat?

Where did you get this baby and was it started with the dry routine or the wet routine?

Read these and see what changes you might need to make:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

Thank you Tom! Zones are 100, 85, 75. Humidity 60/70. I take him outside during the day for natural sun light. There is a heating pad under on the right side. I am struggling with humidity but i do soak him every morning and he was started out soaked method. I will continue to read. Thank you

 

[Tom]

No temp in the enclosure should drop below 80 at any time, day or night. Cool temps are a common mistake with this species. I also wouldn't recommend heating pads. Burns and deaths are common with those. Overhead CHE or RHP controlled by a thermostat would be better.

How much time does the baby spend outside?

So the breeder of this tortoise soaked it daily from day one, and kept it in warm humid indoor conditions?

 

[Minority2]

Thank you Tom! Zones are 100, 85, 75. Humidity 60/70. I take him outside during the day for natural sun light. There is a heating pad under on the right side. I am struggling with humidity but i do soak him every morning and he was started out soaked method. I will continue to read. Thank you

That tank is too small to get those types of numbers so close within each other unless you're using some type of spot bulb which I would not recommend doing.

What type of thermometer hygrometer reader are you using? You should re-check those temperature levels to be sure.

What type of heating pad are you using for your tortoise? Cheap generic versions are known for burning tortoises as well as reptiles.

What do you think about that? Also is it normal for him to sleep right under the basking light? Ah! I feel so helpless not knowing what’s wrong!

Your enclosure might be too cold for your hatchling. That tortoise desperately needs a larger enclosure, additional heating fixtures, and more humidity.