Still just adjusting?

[KelseaB]

We have had Clyde since last Friday, he is about 2". Our routine is bath within 30 minutes of the light coming on. He stays in the warm bath for about 15-20 minutes. Then it's back inside the enclosure in front of a pile of food. Every day except Friday he ate at least a bit. From Sunday on he's spent most of his day out and around (not hiding in his humid hide like he did Friday and Saturday!)

So far he seems to be doing good. My question is since he arrived he hasn't eaten much. I am offering dandelion greens, escarole, endive, and spring mix chopped onto semi bite sized pieces (maybe one leaf if each max cause he's so small). He also has some maruzi that is available. I would say each day he's eaten 3-4 bite sized pieces of greens. Should I be offering only that much daily or is he probably still just adjusting to his new home and will eat more soon?

 

[Bambam1989]

What are your temps reading? Have you seen your little one poop yet? Do you have food available all day?
There are so many factors that could affect his appetite. It's probably gonna take lots questions to pinpoint if there is a problem.

 

[JoesMum]

Right now everything is new and scary. It is very important that the temperatures and setup are correct, so photos of your enclosure and lighting will help us to help you. We also need to know the 4 important temperatures: warm side, cool side, directly under the basking lamp and overnight minimum.

I always suggest getting a routine going for new torts so they learn what to expect and when.

1. Use a timer for the lights so they go on and off at the sane time each day

2. Soak your tort in warm water for at least 20 minutes first thing, before your tort has warmed up properly

3. While your tort soaks, tidy the enclosure and place food.

4. Replace your tort and leave it entirely alone to be brave and explore. Don’t be tempted to stand and watch as you are big and scary right now.

Gradually your tort will learn that you are the provider of yummy food, but some are slower on the uptake than others.

Don’t keep taking your tort out of its enclosure. It feels happiest and safest in its enclosure with all 4 feet on the ground. They’re not cuddly or social and they’re not safe roaming the floor of your home.

 

[KelseaB]

Warm side is 93-95, cool side 80 with a few areas that are 78, directly under heat bulb is 100 and nighttime low is 73.

We have the lights on a timer and have been leaving him alone except for morning soaks. We do watch him from across the room and he doesn't seem to see us then (still stomps around, eats, etc) but we avoid getting close to the glass where he can see us.

Food is available all day though the greens get a bit wilty as the day progresses. He has the crushed pellets all day. He did poop in his bath Friday and Saturday and maybe a bit Sunday but no poop yesterday.

It's a bit hard to get a good full enclosure shot so here are a few.
cool side with Clyde exploring, that pot has now been filed with coir to make it better for a hide.
picture before installing the second bulb, the blue container has been replaced with a half log tunnel and the humid hide moved into the other pot, see next picture.
Clyde having come out of the warm humid to bask. He is directly under the UVB bulb as well.

Warm humid staying between 80 at the back and 83 at the front with a humidity also in the 80s. He used it as a safe place the first two days but now only pops in for brief visits.

We haven't tried to hold him outside the enclosure except to and from baths. We have been letting him do his own thing and adjust.

Hope that all helps, let me know if you need more info!

 

[KelseaB]

Bonus picture: Clyde in his morning bath.
He is in the high point in the tub, the edges are a bit deeper.

 

[RosemaryDW]

If the post starts with “since last Friday,” my answer is “Yes, still adjusting!”

 

[KelseaB]

Awesome! I figured as much but I wanted to make sure I wasn't failing anywhere. How long it the normal adjusting period generally? Days, weeks, months? (I am sure it different per tort but just a rough idea)

 

[chemprentice]

Awesome! I figured as much but I wanted to make sure I wasn't failing anywhere. How long it the normal adjusting period generally? Days, weeks, months? (I am sure it different per tort but just a rough idea)

Our Greek tortoise, Spike, took two weeks before he got a lot more comfortable around us. What kind of tortoise do you have?

 

[KelseaB]

Our Greek tortoise, Spike, took two weeks before he got a lot more comfortable around us. What kind of tortoise do you have?

Clyde is a Russian

 

[chemprentice]

Clyde is a Russian

Clyde is a cute little guy!

 

[KelseaB]

Clyde is a cute little guy!

Thank you!! I love him he's already got such a tiny personality. He ate again today which I was relieved about. He skipped a few days.

 

[Rhea]

Give it time! However my little girl came around pretty quickly. Yet she was almost 4 months when I got her and a piggy! Yours looks tiny! Plus she was handled a lot I think. Now I can’t enter the room without her coming over to greet me and want attention! It’ll be 2 months of having her on the 29th! I’ll get home and she hears my voice and gets up and stirs about! She’s like all my other pets. They know who loves them and takes care of them real quickly! My husband will be home all day and not see the cat,dog, or Rolo (my Russian). But I’m not even in the door and everyone is there to greet me! Her heads poking out of the substrate to see me! Or she’ll be on top if her log waiting!

 

[RosemaryDW]

Awesome! I figured as much but I wanted to make sure I wasn't failing anywhere. How long it the normal adjusting period generally? Days, weeks, months? (I am sure it different per tort but just a rough idea)

It can vary quite a bit per tort based on prior handling (tortoises don’t forget bad experiences very quickly) and some tortoises just aren’t people tortoises, lol.

I would say most new owners report about one to two weeks to settle in but that’s for adults because that’s what the chain pet stores sell. I would think a hatchling needs more time; or at least they will spend more time hiding even when they do get used to you, as they are such easy prey and you look like a predator to them.

At any rate, sounds like you are on the right track. I’m sure he’ll be eating regularly soon but you can always come back here if not.