I Need Help!

[weaksauss]

This is my Leopard Tortoise we've had him for a little over 6 months. Everything was going great until these past few days. Does anyone have any leads as to what i can do?

 

[Tom]

This is my Leopard Tortoise we've had him for a little over 6 months. Everything was going great until these past few days. Does anyone have any leads as to what i can do?

Hello and welcome. Sorry it is under such unfortunate circumstances. That looks like septicemia. Does the tortoise weigh less than 50 grams? If yes, this is likely due to how the breeder started the tortoise. Most do it far too dry. When you can see the blood through the plastron and it looks bruised and feels squishy, this is the end stage. This thread will explain it more:

"Hatchling Failure Syndrome"

I've heard this term for many years and I don't like it. Its a way to excuse our ignorance and failure. I will agree that an occasional hatchling is born that is just not going to make it no matter what anybody does, but MOST of them, if they make it full term and hatch, SHOULD survive and...

tortoiseforum.org

I will point out the problems I see. I do this so you know what to fix. This is not an attack or insult in any way.
1. The enclosure is far too small.
2. You got the substrate right, and its not bone dry, so that is good.
3. Those ramped water bowls are dangerous. Tortoises flip and drown in them regularly. It needs to be removed ASAP. Terra cotta plant saucers sunk into the substrate work best for food and water.
4. Plastic plants will be eaten and can cause impaction.
5. Your temperatures are too cool. Never let it drop below 80 anywhere in the enclosure.
6. The small tank and ramped water bowl make it seem like you got some advice from a pet store. I can't see what heating and lighting you are using, but it is likely the wrong types. Tell us what you've got and we can confirm or deny.

More info here. There is a bunch of general info that will catch you up to speed and explain why everyone tells you something different. There is also a heating/lighting breakdown and a leopard tortoise care sheet near the bottom:

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

Questions are welcome.

 

[wellington]

I agree with everything Tom said. And This little one needs a vet ASAP. Not sure if it can be saved or not at this stage.
The enclosure is all wrong except substrate and needs to be changed ASAP before another tort or this one lives there
The puck like thermometer is also wrong. They are not reliable and it needs to be at tortoise height, not the top of enclosure.
No less than a 40 gallon and that will only last a short time. A giant plastic tote box or pop up greenhouse is best. Closed chamber is needed and room to roam.
Lights should be a tube florescent for uvb. Incandescent flood bulb for basking of 95-100 and ceramic heat emitter for day and night heat of 80
Humidity 80%