Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
Just to check, how are your temps reading?(temp gun will come in handy) if they’re all fine this is highly likely him having a tantrum, they’re very dramatic little creatures🥲
Hello again, I wouldn’t worry about this behaviour too much yet, they absolutely hate any kind of change, even the positive ones lol! Keep offering food each day to entice him, but it could take a few weeks for him to truly settle, he’ll likely be the same once you have him in a new set up too
Let me ask @TomOkay and how long should I be worried that he’s not eating
If you can I’d try and get yourself some digital monitors because the dial ones aren’t very accurate, but even if you could get a temp gun in the meantime to check that’d be good🙂Current temps and humidity
I’m currently waiting on a digital one coming I just bought then until it arrived just to make sureLet me ask @Tom
If you can I’d try and get yourself some digital monitors because the dial ones aren’t very accurate, but even if you could get a temp gun in the meantime to check that’d be good🙂
This is much too hot. That is almost 37C, and its on the wall, not even under the heat lamp. That temperature is perfect if the thermometer was sitting directly under the heat lamp cooking, but that means the whole enclosure is much too hot. You likely need a lower wattage basking lamp.Current temps and humidity
Perfect, hopefully that’ll give you a more accurate idea🙂I’m currently waiting on a digital one coming I just bought then until it arrived just to make sure
This is much too hot. That is almost 37C, and its on the wall, not even under the heat lamp. That temperature is perfect if the thermometer was sitting directly under the heat lamp cooking, but that means the whole enclosure is much too hot. You likely need a lower wattage basking lamp.
Also, hand pack your substrate down. It is too loose and fluffy.
It looks dim in the picture. They won't eat if temperatures and lighting aren't right.
Are you doing daily warm soaks to get him hydrated and get him moving? Leave him in the soaking water for 30-40 minutes and keep it warm the whole time.
Can you make on overall photo of the enclosure so the basking bulb and thermometer can be seen? Rising a lamp should help - 3-4 inches is a meaningful difference.I can move the lamp up another 3/4” would that help or am I better getting lower wattage
So this is it currently but I can raise it as I said another 3/4” but I’ve also ordered another lamp with lower wattage.
Update on the new enclosure, we’ve got Ann the materials ready for it and is a wodden enclosure with a waterproof material to help the wood from rotting, it should roughly be about 8x4ft give or take a inch or two and about 12” inches height
Oh no please don’t worry! You’re in no way shape or form an idiot! Like you say, this is all new to you and no one is born knowing this stuff! Every member here started somewhere, you’re doing great honestly❤️Sorry for being a pest and I feel like an idiot but this is all knew to me and there was so much miss information from the pest shop it’s unbelievable.
They should never run loose around the house. So many things can go wrong. Everyone thinks its perfectly safe and they can't imagine what could go wrong. Some people get upset and argue with us when we tell them that. Eventually something will happen and they learn the hard way, just a little too late. The floor is not safe, too slick, carpet fibers are dangerous if there is carpet, its too cold, and eventually something will go wrong. Keep the tortoise in its enclosure, or in a large outdoor enclosure. Related to your issue, when they run around loose like that, it makes them "unsatisfied", for lack of a better term, with their enclosure, which can hamper appetite.Okay I’ll sort some new wattage lamps
Yeh he gets daily soaks and then gets to run around the house and we’ve had him supervised in the garden a few times too
It’s only dim looking the now as the room he’s in is our family room and we’re currently watching a film so the lights off and the blinds are closed
It’s usually pretty bright during the day
What does packing the substrate down do, I’m assuming he’ll still dig down but just make it more compact
Only your thermometer can answer this question. Lay a digital thermometer on its back directly under the heat lamp at tortoise shell height, and let it cook for an hour or more.I can move the lamp up another 3/4” would that help or am I better getting lower wattage
We are all here to talk tortoises and NO ONE is born knowing this stuff. Due to all the wrong info, it can be confusing and difficult to learn the right stuff. You are doing a great job so far. This tortoise is lucky to be with you. We are all thrilled that you have taken on this task and happy to help you. There is not one person here who thinks you are being a pest or an idiot. Just the opposite. You RESCUED a tortoise in need. That is commendable and we are happy to help you on your journey.Sorry for being a pest and I feel like an idiot but this is all knew to me and there was so much miss information from the pest shop it’s unbelievable.