My baby leopard tortoise doesn’t open its eyes a lot

[RyanW81969]

Hi my 3 month baby leopard tortoise has been eating and drinking water when he gets the chance to but lately I have been seeing him not opening his eyes but only when he eats... I soak him once a day, I use a top soil and play sand 50/50 substrate and put water everyday or every other day in the substrate but I am confused why he won’t open his eyes!

 

[RyanW81969]

Hi my 3 month baby leopard tortoise has been eating and drinking water when he gets the chance to but lately I have been seeing him not opening his eyes but only when he eats... I soak him once a day, I use a top soil and play sand 50/50 substrate and put water everyday or every other day in the substrate but I am confused why he won’t open his eyes!

I use a heat emitter 100w, a Reptisun Terrarium hood 20” 5.0 UVB And a incandescent light with the heat emitter.. am I doing something wrong?

 

[katieandiggy]

I use a heat emitter 100w, a Reptisun Terrarium hood 20” 5.0 UVB And a incandescent light with the heat emitter.. am I doing something wrong?View attachment 235945

I don’t think that the experienced people on here recommend sand as a substrate as it can irritate the eyes... could that be the issue?

 

[katieandiggy]

Also if you provide some more information like all of your temps, and tort age, they will be able to help you more

 

[RyanW81969]

Also if you provide some more information like all of your temps, and tort age, they will be able to help you more

3 months old, 92 during day and 80 I the night

 

[TechnoCheese]

The problem could be that you’re using sand. Sand should never be used in any amount, because it causes impaction, and is an eye, nose, and skin irritant. Change your substrate ASAP to coco coir, orchid bark, peat moss, or cypress mulch. I recommend orchid bark.

 

[TechnoCheese]

Also, you really need a closed chamber, because there is no way to hold humidity in an open enclosure. Make a tent that goes over the lights and top with a shower curtain, and something for the frame.(maybe pvc pipes, etc.)

 

[Maro2Bear]

Just throwing this out there for comment, but WOW!, it just seems like way too brightly lit all over. There’s not a nice little “shady” warm humid spot to hang out...just BRIGHT “sun” all over. I’d suggest a larger enclosure, with various areas for your tort to hang out....warm, humid, a bit shady, etc. But, wait for experienced Leopard owners to chime in before you go rearranging things.

Best of luck.

 

[RyanW81969]

Okay is it fine if I put coco coir and cypress mulch? Do I mix them or I put one on top of eachotyer

 

[Maro2Bear]

You can mix your substrates, just no sand.

 

[Taylor T.]

As mentioned above, you really should convert the enclosure to a closed chamber. It sounds like a lot of work, but it really isn't. I converted my Russian's large habitat into one in only about two hours, and his enclosure is much larger than your one is.

I didn't do it to keep in humidity, I just did it to help keep the heat in during the winter. (we keep the house rather cold and it's impossible to keep that large of an open enclosure at proper temperatures)

All I used to do it was a few pieces of bamboo that we grew in our yard, some Saran wrap, and duct tape. I made a tent frame shaped structure out of the bamboo, and covered it in Saran wrap, overlapping the sheets of wrap about an inch. This way, I didn't need to use any additional tape. The wrap just sticks to itself!

Surprisingly, considering the low quality materials I used, it has lasted almost two years now.

 

[RyanW81969]

As mentioned above, you really should convert the enclosure to a closed chamber. It sounds like a lot of work, but it really isn't. I converted my Russian's large habitat into one in only about two hours, and his enclosure is much larger than your one is.

I didn't do it to keep in humidity, I just did it to help keep the heat in during the winter. (we keep the house rather cold and it's impossible to keep that large of an open enclosure at proper temperatures)

All I used to do it was a few pieces of bamboo that we grew in our yard, some Saran wrap, and duct tape. I made a tent frame shaped structure out of the bamboo, and covered it in Saran wrap, overlapping the sheets of wrap about an inch. This way, I didn't need to use any additional tape. The wrap just sticks to itself!

Surprisingly, considering the low quality materials I used, it has lasted almost two years now.

Can you tell me what to use!? I don’t have really anything but can I use Saran rap over the tub?

 

[Taylor T.]

Can you tell me what to use!? I don’t have really anything but can I use Saran rap over the tub?

I did tell you. Read the third paragraph in my last post. And yes, Saran wrap is what I used

 

[RyanW81969]

I did tell you. Read the third paragraph in my last post. And yes, Saran wrap is what I used

Oooh, I am confused what you mean

 

[Tom]

Please read these for more detailed instruction on how to house and care for your tortoise:
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/

I agree that the sand needs to come out ASAP. Fine grade orchid bark is the best substrate for these guys. I buy it in bulk at a local garden center for a fraction of the price.

Your 5.0 bulb is nice for lighting up the enclosure, but your tortoise is getting zero UV from that bulb at that height.

Are you soaking daily?

You need to make some changes right away if you want your little tortoise to survive and thrive.

 

[RyanW81969]

Yeah I soak daily and how would I lower the 5.0 bulb?