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[voggy]

hi I got a baby tortoise unfortunately cant remember if breeder said horsefield or hermonns! we have had him for 6 days now he wont eat or drink we have bathed him every day but just goes back into a corner and sleeps, tried feeding him different leaves but no success! he is in a viv as instructed by breeder he has heat lamp and day lamp....help feeling sad thanks. p.s I live in uk.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hello, Voggy, and a very warm welcome to tortoise forum to you and your new tortoise.
Photos will be necessary to identify the species and give you advice on the enclosure.
Until then, it is quite normal for a tortoise to take time to adapt to a new environment.
Right now he is wondering if he's on someone else's territory or if there's predators here or if you're going to eat him.
In time, he should settle down, explore, realize you're the food god and start to eat.
But only if you have your temperatures right, if he's too cold he won't eat.
Have a look at http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
for essential general information and then http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/sticky-hermanns-tortoise-care-sheet-updated.101410/
and http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...or-other-herbivorous-tortoise-species.107734/
and http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
as you can see, the care sheets are very similar for both species.

 

[voggy]

Hello, Voggy, and a very warm welcome to tortoise forum to you and your new tortoise.
Photos will be necessary to identify the species and give you advice on the enclosure.
Until then, it is quite normal for a tortoise to take time to adapt to a new environment.
Right now he is wondering if he's on someone else's territory or if there's predators here or if you're going to eat him.
In time, he should settle down, explore, realize you're the food god and start to eat.
But only if you have your temperatures right, if he's too cold he won't eat.
Have a look at http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
for essential general information and then http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/sticky-hermanns-tortoise-care-sheet-updated.101410/
and http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...or-other-herbivorous-tortoise-species.107734/
and http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
as you can see, the care sheets are very similar for both species.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

?

 

[voggy]

hi Tidgy's dad thanks for the reply was getting rather worried about Charlie...Turned up the heat last night to see if that helps but still in hiding today. How long can I let him go without food and water. Will try and upload photos but its all new to me so might take a while!

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

They can go a long time without, but obviously, it's better if they eat.
Soak him in warm water a couple of times a day for 15 to 20 minutes and he'll have to drink something and can absorb some water too.
Some people would put baby carrot or pumpkin food in the water so he gets nutrients that way.
What are your temperatures?
warm side, cool side, basking spot and night time.

 

[voggy]

ok trying to get you some photos! dont think we have it right really. we have basking side with ceramic lamp, house and aspin, then water in middle, tiles with food on and the day time light. we only have temp gage with is reading 80 does this help?

 

[voggy]

he just maid a little squeaky noise is this normal too?

 

[voggy]

made lol

 

[voggy]

 

[voggy]

ok. sorry don't know why I uploaded too many photos but trying my best anyone know what kind he is? and can I improve set up thanks!!!!

 

[Lexiii]

First, shut off that coil bulb!

 

[meech008]

You have a Russian can I ask what you are keeping him in? And why only part of the floor is covered in substrate? I think you'd do better with a different substrate and lots more of it. You can buy coco coir, orchid bark, cypress mulch, or plain soil at your hardware store and it would work a lot better for your little guy. I'm sure someone else will come a long and give you lots more information
Edit- I see you have him in a viv.
In the meantime, take a look at this and it will help you loads! http://www.tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/80698/

 

[meech008]

First, shut off that coil bulb!

I agree

 

[Tom]

Read the threads that Adam linked for you Voggy.

That coil bulb is the most likely source of your problem. Some of those burn their eyes and cause the exact symptoms that you are seeing.

If you are soaking daily as you should be, then your tortoise will not be going without water.

That substrate is far too dry. You need something that can hold a bit of moisture and create some moderate humidity.

I see you have a ceramic heating element, but I don't see a basking bulb anywhere. The CHE can warm up your ambient, but they still need a basking area that gets up to around 37c. Ambient at night only needs to stay 20-23c and a thermostat set on that CHE will help you achieve that.

All this and more is in those care sheets. Here is the pertinent info again:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...or-other-herbivorous-tortoise-species.107734/

Please read these.

 

[Momof4]

Welcome!! You have a cute Russian there and you will have him set up and happy in no time if you follow the advice here!
It can be a bit overwhelming at first but make list and have fun setting up his enclosure!

 

[Yvonne G]

ok. sorry don't know why I uploaded too many photos but trying my best anyone know what kind he is? and can I improve set up thanks!!!!

He's a Horsefield tortoise, or more commonly called - Russian tortoise. It looks like the light is painful to his eyes. You need to get rid of the light ASAP. When you mess with him his eyes should be open. He's just a tiny baby, so the aspen isn't a good choice for substrate. Baby tortoises need moisture and you can't wet the aspen. Look for coco coir. It comes in a compressed brick and you have to put it into a bucket of hot water to rehydrate it. Then squeeze the water out and put it in your habitat. Your baby won't eat until you can get his eyes open. And the light is causing him to keep his eyes closed.

 

[voggy]

oh kathy your so right I have no Idea of light bulbs temp ext... I installed what was recommended by the breeder who keeps reptiles..So sorry lexiii I have turned it off immediately! I thought the coil light was supposed to be on during day as extra day light? I have che lamp thought that it was for basking is that incorrect? I was advised aspin! for bedding and tiles for food and for its claws to scratch? So its a horsefield or Russian thanks guys. It must be so frustrating when we get it wrong!

 

[voggy]

thanks Yvonne G I have turned bulb off so confused trying to read up on everything and keep up! Thanks tom checking care sheets again

 

[Lexiii]

Don't worry, these folks are very helpful and you will have a happy and healthy tort for sure.