Normal behaviour? (summertime slow down)

[vanisle09]

Is it normal for my approximately 10 month old russian to slow right down in the hot weather. He lives indoors and has a proper basking temp and UVB but it has been extremely hot in my condo and since that he hasn't been active or eating much. (Kind if like hibernation) the vet says he is sick and have me vitamin shots to give him.

Thanks

 

[Yvonne G]

Most tortoises go into aestivation during the hot weather. If it has been real hot in your condo, that MIGHT be what's going on.

 

[(r.t)]

what sort of tort do you have? My Russian tort isn't active in hot weather either, she digs a cool pit in her outdoor enclousure and stays there a long time so I personally don't think you should worry. But I'm no expert.

 

[vanisle09]

He is a russian tortoise. And thanks for all the info everyone.
Does 55 grams seen way to small. The vet says he should be 100grams at least?

 

[(r.t)]

I dont know about this but it depends on your torts age, if you tell me I can do some research for you unless a tort expert comes before

 

[vanisle09]

I have been told and we guessed that he is about 10 months old. We do not have a hatch date though.

 

[(r.t)]

I haven't found the exact answer but I've found out that a 5-8 inch long Russian tort will way 300- 1500gr so calculating for your 10 month old I think your tort is underweight/small for her size.

 

[Jabuticaba]

Hello. Can you post pictures, from a few different angles (front, side, rear, etc) and one next to a dollar bill/bank note? The experts will be better able to make a better assessment and give you some advice then.


May, Aussies, & Hermannis
IG: @AUSSOMEAUSSIES

 

[Abdulla6169]

Can you tell us the temperature of your condo? Another member's rt had faced this as well...

 

[lismar79]

Yes, I would ask the temp in enclosure, basking light still putting out good uv rays, and how often do you soak him?

 

[vanisle09]

I try to soak daily bit sometimes can't because of work. Basking is around 100 and I have a reptisun 10.0 tube light. Coco coir/organic potting soil. Still putting out food but hasn't been eating. My condo (according to my thermostat) is around 80-85.

 

[vanisle09]

 

[lismar79]

Try giving him red or yellow foods- raddichio butternut squash, put a can of squash baby food in soaking water, or try giving him pumkin puree ( the plane can kind used for making pies) any of these or all should help

 

[lismar79]

I really think he is too hot....
Something like this could be a life saver:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CVHIJDK/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

 

[vanisle09]

I have been soaking him in baby food carrots the last 5 days. We took him to the vet and she have us vitamins to inject and powdered food to mix with water and force feed. I can't force feed him for the life of me. We have tried for about an hour and he we can't pry his mouth open.

 

[lismar79]

Force feeding is hard. Do you let him cool off at night any? Turn off lights?

 

[vanisle09]

Could I try turning the basking light off for a day and see what happens? If the ambient temp in the room is 85 would it hurt him to turn the basking light off?

 

[vanisle09]

Lights are on a 12 hour timer

 

[lismar79]

I would try it for a day at least. I would also try taking him outside for a bit of real sun. Can you het a hold of Mazuri tort foood? Its good for growth and torts seem to love it. When mine was sick it was all I could get him to eat.

 

[vanisle09]

If they have Mazuri tort food at my pet store I will go get some. Do you soak it in water?