RI in Greeks

[StudentoftheReptile]

Got a buddy who works for an importer and recently got a group of Greeks in. He said they're exhibiting a little bit of a RI. Diet is fairly variable: lost of greens, grasses, vegetables and fruits. Set-up is pretty old-school: large, open-top pens with cypress mulch.

He said his boss suggested cut back on the humidity. He asked me about it. I told him that I have no experience with Greeks, but based on what I learned here on TFO, it seemed that higher humidity in a closed enclosure-setup may be the way to go, to help with the RI and the general health, as well.

Any thoughts? Am I leading this guy the wrong path? Sounds like his boss is probably old-school as well, and just parroting misinformation.

 

[ascott]

The Greek tortoise actually consists of several forms that occur throughout its wide range. Those that occur north of the Mediterranean Sea are more cold tolerant and usually hibernate when the weather dictates. Those varieties that occur in the Middle East and south of the Mediterranean are less cold tolerant and do not usually hibernate.

The southern forms of the Greek tortoise should be kept at a temperature of no less than 80 degrees Fahrenheit with a basking spot of at least 100 degrees. The northern forms will tolerate cooler temperatures but will tend to be inclined to hibernate if temperatures drop too low for too long. The recommended temperature range for the northern forms is 75 to 90 degrees.

This is a brief of habitats and the variety of locations dictate their different needs based on where they originate from;

http://www.arkive.org/greek-tortoise/testudo-graeca/#text=Habitat

 

[TortieLuver]

What kind of symptoms exaxtly are they having? Bumping up the heat can sometimes help as well. Also since there's a group, I would separate the ones that show signs of RI from the others.

 

[CactusVinnie]

I read that also the diet can play a role, especially if too watery. Even it seems not connected, I would take care- the diet you described is wrong. Greens- the ones rich in oxalates, as spinach, collard, mustard etc. should be replaced with weeds. Grass is quite poor, but often eaten if nothing else available, and legumes and fruits should be banned.

In Alabama, you really need to cut back humidity. It is already too much. I would focus on the hiding places, they should be drier at your place, as they should be more humid in Turkey steppe. Seek the equilibre, but that's not means "slightly humid", just not "bone-dry".

Meanwhile, can you post pics of them, to find at least if they are the hardy Ibera or other lineage?

 

[TylerStewart]

Got a buddy who works for an importer and recently got a group of Greeks in. He said they're exhibiting a little bit of a RI. Diet is fairly variable: lost of greens, grasses, vegetables and fruits. Set-up is pretty old-school: large, open-top pens with cypress mulch.

He said his boss suggested cut back on the humidity. He asked me about it. I told him that I have no experience with Greeks, but based on what I learned here on TFO, it seemed that higher humidity in a closed enclosure-setup may be the way to go, to help with the RI and the general health, as well.

Any thoughts? Am I leading this guy the wrong path? Sounds like his boss is probably old-school as well, and just parroting misinformation.

The best solution would be to send them to me and let me put them in one of our 115 degree, 2% humidity pens, and they'll be cleared up in no time! RI can be difficult to break in climates that have much humidity at all; even moderate, even with proper drugs (since it spreads). Super low humidity (with good hydration, but low humidity; they are different things) and temps 80-85 and higher are the trick, and are probably at least as effective as medicating them for it.

The natural conditions of certain types aren't really relevant since in the wild they rarely get RI. The last several years, essentially all Greeks are coming in from the Middle East (mostly Jordan), so they're not going to be the cooler temperature/higher altitude types anyways.

 

[StudentoftheReptile]

Thanks for all the info, guys. I'll pass all this along to him.

I believe it was 4-5 animals in this particular group.

And this is not in Alabama, BTW.