Only tortoise people would get it

[lbailey4487]

Ziggy just took his first normal looking poo since I got him in October! Hopefully, it means the round and pinworms are no longer a problem! He’s also eating better. Still super picky—he loves Romaine lettuce and cucumber, so I’ve been putting other things on top of those trick him into trying other things. I still try not to give cucumber that often; it’s one thing he will always eat should I need to give him meds. I’ve gotten him to at least eat a few bites of clover, sow thistle, plantain, and dandelion. He won’t touch ZooMed pellets or the tortoise greens I have grown for him, nor his spider plant, aloe, or basil. I think he’s one of few who doesn’t like the pellets or dandelions. Yesterday and today, he ate some Arcadia pressed/rehydrated food with a wide variety of good things inside—nettle, berry leaves, rose leaves and petals, marigolds, dandelion, and bee pollen. He was trying to get to his lettuce and cucumber, but I’ll take it. He actually ate a few leaves of the spring greens as well. He eats better after a good warm soak. I’m in the bathroom cheering poop and my family thinks I’m crazy!

 

[wellington]

Yay, yes, we get it and will cheer with you. It's your family that's nuts, not us lol

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Aw this fantastic to hear! Definitely keep persevering with the foods he doesn’t seem keen on, they can be so stubborn by nature, but eventually he may take a fancying to it

Looool from one crazy tort lover to another, back when our red used to struggle with diarrhoea, I remember her first good looking poop and getting everyone to run in and look at it to celebrate

That arcadia stuff is brilliant for sneaking variety in! Honestly the fact he’s enjoying that is awesome! Even if he continues being picky with the fresher stuff, keep putting some of the Arcadia stuff in and be rest assured he’s getting a nice mix

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Yay, yes, we get it and will cheer with you. It's your family that's nuts, not us lol

Firmly agree lol

 

[lbailey4487]

I rubbed diced prickly pear down with cucumber enough that he readily eats those now! I’m so happy! He still seems determined to be a lazy tort all winter, but it’s a start!

 

[lbailey4487]

I rubbed diced prickly pear down with cucumber enough that he readily eats those now! I’m so happy! He still seems determined to be a lazy tort all winter, but it’s a start

Yay, yes, we get it and will cheer with you. It's your family that's nuts, not us lol

i bought him a greenhouse tent for his big tortoise table at school but still decided to start bringing him home every evening with me. That weird place on his shell kinda unnerved me, though I have since decided it was likely due to the massive change in humidity between coastal NC and mountains in WV. I kept it treated daily with antibiotic ointment along with the other dry spots that looked like they were going to possibly be cracks. All are better now. He went through a big shed, too, but that’s all sloughed off now, as well. I’m going to take a stool sample in in February to assure worms are resolved. Fingers crossed!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I rubbed diced prickly pear down with cucumber enough that he readily eats those now! I’m so happy! He still seems determined to be a lazy tort all winter, but it’s a start!

lol bless him, that’s good! You’re doing a great job and definitely more in the swing of things now by the sounds of it

 

[lbailey4487]

I rubbed diced prickly pear down with cucumber enough that he readily eats those now! I’m so happy! He still seems determined to be a lazy tort all winter, but it’s a start

Yay, yes, we get it and will cheer with you. It's your family that's nuts, not us lol

i bought him a greenhouse tent for his big tortoise table at school but still decided to start bringing him home every evening with me. That weird place on his shell kinda unnerved me, though I have since decided it was likely due to the massive change in humidity between coastal NC and mountains in WV. I kept it treated daily with antibiotic ointment along with the other dry spots that looked like they were going to possibly be cracks. All are better now. He went through a big shed, too, but that’s all sloughed off now, as well. I’m going to take a stool sample in in February to assure worms are in under control! Thank you for your suggestions!

 

[lbailey4487]

lol bless him, that’s good! You’re doing a great job and definitely more in the swing of things now by the sounds of it

I’m definitely trying. A bit less stresse, for sure. Got temps and lighting under control now, bringing him home every evening so I don’t stress out worrying about him. Working on food and activity levels. Oh and humidity! I did not realize how dry the air in my home actually is until I got him. I’ve really had to keep watch on his meters. Now I’ve got humidity readers elsewhere other than in his home. Today it was 15% in my bedroom. Yikes. I don’t want it too moist, as I have severe mold allergies, but no wonder my sinuses are all dried out!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I’m definitely trying. A bit less stresse, for sure. Got temps and lighting under control now, bringing him home every evening so I don’t stress out worrying about him. Working on food and activity levels. Oh and humidity! I did not realize how dry the air in my home actually is until I got him. I’ve really had to keep watch on his meters. Now I’ve got humidity readers elsewhere other than in his home. Today it was 15% in my bedroom. Yikes. I don’t want it too moist, as I have severe mold allergies, but no wonder my sinuses are all dried out!

That’s really good to hear!

Woah that is quite low! Humidity in our house is around 50/60 but we’re paired with cold temperaturesso a closed chamber all the way for us lol. A plastic covering over yours with damp substrate should do wonders

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Today it was 15% in my bedroom. Yikes. I don’t want it too moist, as I have severe mold allergies, but no wonder my sinuses are all dried out!

I have a bunch of respiratory problems and the humidity really makes a difference.

If I were you I would try and raise the humidity, little at a time, until you find a sweet spot. Usually houses are more humid during the summer without so much heating. Maybe your summer humidity is something to strive for in your bedroom?

I really don't know much, just that my doctor suggested me getting a room humidifier in the bedroom and it might help you too, 15% is really low if you google anything about room humidity and health.

 

[lbailey4487]

I have a bunch of respiratory problems and the humidity really makes a difference.

If I were you I would try and raise the humidity, little at a time, until you find a sweet spot. Usually houses are more humid during the summer without so much heating. Maybe your summer humidity is something to strive for in your bedroom?

I really don't know much, just that my doctor suggested me getting a room humidifier in the bedroom and it might help you too, 15% is really low if you google anything about room humidity and health.

Yes! I never realized how low the house humidity was until I put monitors in Ziggy’s area! I do have to look for the sweet spot, though, due to life-threatening mold allergy reactions.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Yes! I never realized how low the house humidity was until I put monitors in Ziggy’s area! I do have to look for the sweet spot, though, due to life-threatening mold allergy reactions.

Starting slowly is probably the way to go! Do your research first, and if you have the means talk to a health professional to avoid any risks.