New tortoise owner

[Mayrelyn Fekete]

I just recently adopted an eight week old Sulcata. My question is at this age do they have very big appetites? I try feeding him and he eats a small piece of romaine lettuce and then he acts like he is not interested in food anymore. Is this common? Am I not feeding the right stuff?? U have tried kale squash? He seems to also enjoy sleeping a lot. Please help

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Welcome. Please post your species and then we can provide you with the help that you require.

 

[Mayrelyn Fekete]

Welcome. Please post your species and then we can provide you with the help that you require.

Sulcata

 

[Jodie]

More info on your setup, temp, humidity and equipment used, will help us offer suggestions. The care guides in the Sulcata section will also help you and provide a list of good options. Variety is key. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hello, Mayrelyn and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum.
Sleeping a lot at that age is quite normal.
He will get more active and curious as he gets larger, older and more confident.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/sulcata-diet-sheet.52677/
gives you plenty of options on his diet.
Also see http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
and http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
for lots of good information.
Sometimes, if they are not eating it's an indication the temperatures are too low.
Torts need to be warm to digest their food properly.

 

[MFekete]

Thank you so much

 

[MFekete]

Read the diet forum that u replied with went outside and cut some fresh grass for him he has been eating for about 10 minutes solid now

 

[johnsonnboswell]

Great! Now to improve his habitat. That towel has no place in it.

 

[MFekete]

The towel is just what I use to put down while I feed him on the bed so he don't poop on it

 

[MFekete]

I bought some tortoise chow from the pet store he doesn't seem to care for it

 

[Jodie]

Do you not put food in his enclosure? In the wild they graze all day long.

 

[MFekete]

Yes he has plenty of food in his enclosure. He has grasses and tortoise chow and lettuce

 

[MFekete]

I think I just worry because I don't see him eat and most of the time when I come in where his room is to check on him he is sleeping.

 

[Chantel]

Welcome. I have a baby the same age. She eats a lot. She sleeps a lot too, but wakes every 2 or 3 hours for food. Make sure to follow the care sheets tom has set up. They really help. A must is the temps need to be right for digestion, and for the shell to grow properly they need lots of humidity. But they have to be done right, or the high humidity will chill your tort and it will get sick. I am glad he is eating for you now! I look forward to following your progress!!!

 

[Speedy-1]

Speedy has his food available all day, and is back and forth munching on it, or laying on his rock under the light "catching some rays" !