Help me save my hatchlings....

[Arlosmama]

Hi all, I live in Hawaii on a property where there are an adult pair of Sulcata tortoises ( Fran, 17 & Franklin, 20). On Christmas Eve I found 4 hatchlings! Never thought it could happen seeing I’ve been around them for 3 years, this was a first. I didn’t know much about caring for them.... and still don’t. I lost one few days ago. I keep them inside in the evenings and outdoors on nice days. I had read they get most of their water from eating grass.... but now I’m realizing eating isn’t easy for them. I fear I’m going to loose the rest as they are lethargic. Is there anything I can do to nurse them back to health? Is puréed grass ok? Please help me correct my ignorance.

 

[VegasJeff]

I'd keep them inside in a box or plastic tub and feed them green mix. That's what they do with the hatchlings at reptile shows here. Take them outside in the sun maybe 30 minutes max per day in the beginning to get some sun. Also, I would recommend giving them soaks in water for like 15 or 20 minutes. They will drink water when they are soaking. I noticed my hatchling does not like most kinds of grass. Yours may not be getting enough food and water and maybe too much sun. Perhaps some expert members can help chime in.

 

[LaLaP]

Hatchlings require different care than adults. They need high humidity, high heat and broad leaf weeds.
Here's a link with good info:
https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threa...atchlings-and-babies-discussion-thread.18448/

 

[Tom]

Here is all the care info on them:

Beginner Mistakes

To comment on Tom's article, go here: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-split-Beginner-Mistakes#axzz1tG8s05M5 Over the years many of us, myself included, have made many of these mistakes, and we have certainly seen them made many times by others. With springtime upon us and many new...

tortoiseforum.org

How To Raise A Healthy Sulcata Or Leopard, Version 2.0

It's been three years since the original care sheet, http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-63788.html , and I think its time for a review and an update. A lot of new info has come to light over the last three years and new insight has been gained through numerous experiences. What follows is my...

tortoiseforum.org

For Those Who Have a Young Sulcata...

Over and over I type up and answer diet questions and try to get people feeding the right stuff, but I find that the "norm" is grocery store food. Grocery store food is expensive, a hassle to obtain, and very low on the list of what is best for sulcatas. These tortoises are GRASS eaters. From...

tortoiseforum.org

Read these and then come back with questions.

Outside all day is bad for babies, regardless of climate. They need a warm humid indoor closed chamber most of each day and all night. An hour of sun a few times a week is good.

Soak them in warm water every day for 30-40 minutes.

Mature grass is too tough for babies. Freshly sprouted softTake in all this info and then come back with all your questions.

 

[Yvonne G]

You need to bring those babies indoors right away and set them up in a warm, humid environment. They won't eat unless they can warm their inner core up to at least 80F degrees. Please read the threads that Tom above has shown for you. It's quite different caring for baby tortoises than what you see happening to the adult pair outside.

 

[wellington]

I second Tom and Yvonnes post. Asap make the changes for any hope of saving them.
Be sure to read all the info listed and keep it handy for next time. I'm sure you will be finding more babies wondering around soon if you aren't keeping tabs on the female nesting habits.

 

[wellington]

Btw, tortoises really should not be kept in pairs. One female to one male, is a recipe for the female to be harrassed to illness or death. He will try breeding her too much and stress her to illness. If they are in a very large, very large, space with lots of sight barriers, feeding and watering spots and several hides they might have a chance. They need water to drink not just grass.
Sounds like you read some wrong info in the past. Stay with this forum and read read read for all the correct info.
Good luck