Small blood patches on both sides of tortoises' neck?

[Anthony Willett]

Hi, I have a 7-year-old Hermann tortoise. I recently noticed two small patches of blood on both sides of the tortoise's neck behind her ears where the skin folds. The day before, I let her run around in her outdoor enclosure where I didn't notice any blood. Her appetite is normal as well as the time she spends under the heat lamp however, I did notice that she's a bit more aggressive and fast-paced in walking and turning her shell. She doesn't seem to be losing any weight at all. I recently changed her substate from newspaper (which was temporary) to coco coir. She has had no illnesses in the past. I don't really know what to do other than soak her more frequently. Any advice?

 

[Yvonne G]

May we see pictures, please?

 

[Anthony Willett]

Sorry if they are bad. It was a bit difficult to take them.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hm-m-m. . . could he have been climbing the walls and rubbed his skin on the shell?

 

[Anthony Willett]

Her outdoor enclosure has is fenced with chicken wiring, and her hide was made from bricks that had pointed edges. Now that the blood has been washed away it looks to me as though she has rubbed her skin on something.

 

[pacific chelonians]

Is she being kept alone and do you have red ants

 

[Yvonne G]

Her outdoor enclosure has is fenced with chicken wiring, and her hide was made from bricks that had poiN.ted edges. Now that the blood has been washed away it looks to me as though she has rubbed her skin on something.

I think the chicken wire may explain it. He might have poked his head out then kept pushing, scraping the skin???

 

[Tom]

Her outdoor enclosure has is fenced with chicken wiring...

There's your problem. They need a visual barrier.

 

[Anthony Willett]

Is she being kept alone and do you have red ants

She's my only tortoise. Whilst we do have ants in the outdoor enclosure (dunno if they are red), I don't think they are very active at this time in the UK.

 

[Anthony Willett]

Thank you all for helping me with this. I'll be sure to implement proper measures to fix this.