wderfler5
New Member
Hi All,
I did try to search some other threads but haven't found any too helpful. First, I have to say I know his enclosure is too small. His enclosure is about 4x4 feet and Arti is kept inside year round at this point. This weekend he is getting an additonal 4 feet added to the length of his inside enclosure. So he will have double the space indoors. I'm adding grow lights to the one end of the new section and putting a spider plant plus a broadleaf seed mix that has 24 different plants. Hoping to give him more stimulation when he is inside with more natural food options. We are also building him an outdoor enclosure that would be about 40 square feet in the next few weeks. I plan to keep him outside when the weather permits, but bring him inside when it gets cold. I live in eastern PA. We have had Artichoke since he was around 4-6 months, which is just a guess by his size and the reptile shot we purchased him from. He has cyprus mulch (mostly) mixed with some dirt, we live on 12 acres and don't use any pesticides etc (I did bake this first bc i wanted to be extra careful). The temps in his enclosure range from 100 (basking) to the cooler side which is 70. His basking spot has always been a dome light with a 100w bulb and a 12 inch UVB tube bulb, both of which were just switched to ensure proper lighting and heat. His lights are on a 12 hour timer. They turn on by 7 am and off by 7pm. I was told by a breeder Iberas dont need high humidty since their natural habitat is dry/arid. I kept the humidty higher the first two years old his life. I do spray one side to give him options on where to hang out should he want some humidty. He has 2 hides in the dark cool dry side and a hide near his basking side. He is spending most of his time lately in the cooler side in one of his burrows/hides. He always has water and is offered greens 4 days a week, mazuri (mush balls) with calcium supplement and pumpkin seed puree sprinkled on it twice a week. He gets one day with no food. His greens include; clover, plantain, dandelion, mustard greens, endive, collard greens, organic salad mix, raddiccio, escarole, and an occasional treat of cucumber or watermelon. He doesn't get all these greens every week as i try to mix them up from week to week. I generally soak him once a week. Lately I have been soaking him a couple times a week due to him acting lethargic. He has had more than normal white urates and i thought he might be dehydrated. He used to come out every morning, bask, eat, then go to his hide and sleep. The past month he comes out every 2 days and only eats a little greens. He will eat all of his mush balls (the mazuri pellets soaked in water). I give him 4-5. His eyes look clear, nose is not runny, his tongue and mouth look ok (when he eats I get a decent look at his tongue). His poop is normal. I even tried to check for worms and didnt see anything out of the ordinary. I know the eggs can be microscopic but thought if it was an issue id be able to see them in his stool. I could be wrong in thinking that? Ive been trying to avoid the vet because I know how stressed out he will be. Could he be aestivating or is that only typical for outdoor tortoises? The person i normally reference said "he sounds tired to me" and to let him sleep. Is he changing his behaviors because he is getting older/maturing? Bored/stressed with his small enclosure? Sick? I do not weigh him as he has always had what i considered to be healthy habits, eating, pooping, and being active. He feels slightly lighter in weight, but not a lot. Anyway, before i headed to the vet I thought id ask all you helpful people
Any thoughts? I appreciate anyone who has taken the time to read all this info!!! Attached is a picture of a few of our pets, well just their heads, with dapper attire, you will see Artichoke on the right.
I did try to search some other threads but haven't found any too helpful. First, I have to say I know his enclosure is too small. His enclosure is about 4x4 feet and Arti is kept inside year round at this point. This weekend he is getting an additonal 4 feet added to the length of his inside enclosure. So he will have double the space indoors. I'm adding grow lights to the one end of the new section and putting a spider plant plus a broadleaf seed mix that has 24 different plants. Hoping to give him more stimulation when he is inside with more natural food options. We are also building him an outdoor enclosure that would be about 40 square feet in the next few weeks. I plan to keep him outside when the weather permits, but bring him inside when it gets cold. I live in eastern PA. We have had Artichoke since he was around 4-6 months, which is just a guess by his size and the reptile shot we purchased him from. He has cyprus mulch (mostly) mixed with some dirt, we live on 12 acres and don't use any pesticides etc (I did bake this first bc i wanted to be extra careful). The temps in his enclosure range from 100 (basking) to the cooler side which is 70. His basking spot has always been a dome light with a 100w bulb and a 12 inch UVB tube bulb, both of which were just switched to ensure proper lighting and heat. His lights are on a 12 hour timer. They turn on by 7 am and off by 7pm. I was told by a breeder Iberas dont need high humidty since their natural habitat is dry/arid. I kept the humidty higher the first two years old his life. I do spray one side to give him options on where to hang out should he want some humidty. He has 2 hides in the dark cool dry side and a hide near his basking side. He is spending most of his time lately in the cooler side in one of his burrows/hides. He always has water and is offered greens 4 days a week, mazuri (mush balls) with calcium supplement and pumpkin seed puree sprinkled on it twice a week. He gets one day with no food. His greens include; clover, plantain, dandelion, mustard greens, endive, collard greens, organic salad mix, raddiccio, escarole, and an occasional treat of cucumber or watermelon. He doesn't get all these greens every week as i try to mix them up from week to week. I generally soak him once a week. Lately I have been soaking him a couple times a week due to him acting lethargic. He has had more than normal white urates and i thought he might be dehydrated. He used to come out every morning, bask, eat, then go to his hide and sleep. The past month he comes out every 2 days and only eats a little greens. He will eat all of his mush balls (the mazuri pellets soaked in water). I give him 4-5. His eyes look clear, nose is not runny, his tongue and mouth look ok (when he eats I get a decent look at his tongue). His poop is normal. I even tried to check for worms and didnt see anything out of the ordinary. I know the eggs can be microscopic but thought if it was an issue id be able to see them in his stool. I could be wrong in thinking that? Ive been trying to avoid the vet because I know how stressed out he will be. Could he be aestivating or is that only typical for outdoor tortoises? The person i normally reference said "he sounds tired to me" and to let him sleep. Is he changing his behaviors because he is getting older/maturing? Bored/stressed with his small enclosure? Sick? I do not weigh him as he has always had what i considered to be healthy habits, eating, pooping, and being active. He feels slightly lighter in weight, but not a lot. Anyway, before i headed to the vet I thought id ask all you helpful people
Any thoughts? I appreciate anyone who has taken the time to read all this info!!! Attached is a picture of a few of our pets, well just their heads, with dapper attire, you will see Artichoke on the right.
