Sulcata dehydrated?

[torttor]

Found a sulcata walking around and we brought him to our backyard to stay for a bit until we find an owner. Never had a tortoise, so please forgive my inexperience, just wanted to make sure it was doing alright. He doesn't seem to eat the hay we brought him in, and seems very lazy, and croaks a little. What should we do while he stays for a bit? I'm afraid it's because of the intense vegas heat, is there anything that could be causing this?

 

[Maggie3fan]

Found a sulcata walking around and we brought him to our backyard to stay for a bit until we find an owner. Never had a tortoise, so please forgive my inexperience, just wanted to make sure it was doing alright. He doesn't seem to eat the hay we brought him in, and seems very lazy, and croaks a little. What should we do while he stays for a bit? I'm afraid it's because of the intense vegas heat, is there anything that could be causing this?

Water...can you actually soak him in a kiddie pool or something? How big is he? The hay would normally be decent food for him...It sounds like he needs soaking

 

[RandyTortoise]

Found a sulcata walking around and we brought him to our backyard to stay for a bit until we find an owner. Never had a tortoise, so please forgive my inexperience, just wanted to make sure it was doing alright. He doesn't seem to eat the hay we brought him in, and seems very lazy, and croaks a little. What should we do while he stays for a bit? I'm afraid it's because of the intense vegas heat, is there anything that could be causing this?

They don’t eat hay. You should get a luke warm bin with water that is about 6 inches deep. Maybe less temp than bath water of course. Soak him for about 30 to 40 minutes as he is probably dehydrated. After that offer him some greens. Any greens to get him eating. That should do it.
If he doesn’t eat, soak him tomorrow and feed him again. I’ll bet he is super hydrated and needs a long soak I Luke warm water. But not too deep as they can’t swim, not a turtle.

 

[torttor]

Water...can you actually soak him in a kiddie pool or something? How big is he?

Yes, we have a kiddie pool and he's currently soaking. He is starting to move more, but the croaking is still going on. He's not huge, but definitely not tiny. Maybe like 3 years? He's also starting to use the restroom a lot.

 

[RandyTortoise]

Yes, we have a kiddie pool and he's currently soaking. He is starting to move more, but the croaking is still going on. He's not huge, but definitely not tiny. Maybe like 3 years? He's also starting to use the restroom a lot.

He will be fine!

 

[Tom]

Yes, we have a kiddie pool and he's currently soaking. He is starting to move more, but the croaking is still going on. He's not huge, but definitely not tiny. Maybe like 3 years? He's also starting to use the restroom a lot.

What size is he? Can we see some pics?

The croaking might be a respiratory infection from cold nights sleeping outside. They need a heated night box set to 80 degrees at night. You also have to be careful they don't over heat during the day. In NV, AZ and the CA desert, its best if they can burrow in summer, but that doesn't seem practical for your situation.

 

[Tom]

They don’t eat hay.

Hay should be the main food item for adult sulcatas. Why would you say they don't eat it?

 

[Maggie3fan]

They don’t eat hay. You should get a luke warm bin with water that is about 6 inches deep. Maybe less temp than bath water of course. Soak him for about 30 to 40 minutes as he is probably dehydrated. After that offer him some greens. Any greens to get him eating. That should do it.
If he doesn’t eat, soak him tomorrow and feed him again. I’ll bet he is super hydrated and needs a long soak I Luke warm water. But not too deep as they can’t swim, not a turtle.

Well then I've been feeding my big Sulcata s wrong for 20 years??? Also...this is my 25 pound Sulcata... Mary Knobbins, who breaks into the box turtle pond every day and swims in 3 feet of water...thru the summer...and eats almost a whole bale of locally grown grass hay thru the winter...

 

[RandyTortoise]

Well then I've been feeding my big Sulcata s wrong for 20 years??? Also...this is my 25 pound Sulcata... Mary Knobbins, who breaks into the box turtle pond every day and swims in 3 feet of water...thru the summer...and eats almost a whole bale of locally grown grass hay thru the winter...View attachment 393463View attachment 393465

My gosh! That is crazy!

 

[torttor]

What size is he? Can we see some pics?

The croaking might be a respiratory infection from cold nights sleeping outside. They need a heated night box set to 80 degrees at night. You also have to be careful they don't over heat during the day. In NV, AZ and the CA desert, its best if they can burrow in summer, but that doesn't seem practical for your situation.

He's roughly 14x8 inches. Where could I find a heated night box?

 

[torttor]

Also, while he was soaking, I noticed something mucus like appear in the water, is that an infection? Should we get him checked out?

 

[Maggie3fan]

Mucus from where? Did he poop or pee in the water? Did he sorta dip his head like nose in the water? Was he active at all? If it's clear mucus from his nose no worries...He needs to be kept warmer that 75 degrees...He's from the Savannah in Africa, Egypt Senegal...he's gonna need more care than you may be able to give...we will help you all we can...I'm going to attach a care sheet written by Tom so you can see the care involved and maybe you can adapt something...you know they get very big and strong and can and do go thru sheet rock and more adventures like that...But they need specialized care..I think you can make a night box easy enuf for now but read this and oh...do not take him to the Vet...You need a specialized exotic Vet and they are few and far between because it takes extra education and most don't get it... We have a few here, we have really experienced people who do believe no matter what...it's for the tortoises... and we have a few idiots.
In Southern Calif not far from you there's a tortoise rescue who will go the extra length for you...If you can't find the owner and don't want to keep him EppsDynasty will come on and advise you...So let us help and don't worry...

The Best Way To Raise A Sulcata, Leopard, Or Star Tortoise

 

[torttor]

Mucus from where? Did he poop or pee in the water? Did he sorta dip his head like nose in the water? Was he active at all? If it's clear mucus from his nose no worries...He needs to be kept warmer that 75 degrees...He's from the Savannah in Africa, Egypt Senegal...he's gonna need more care than you may be able to give...we will help you all we can...I'm going to attach a care sheet written by Tom so you can see the care involved and maybe you can adapt something...you know they get very big and strong and can and do go thru sheet rock and more adventures like that...But they need specialized care..I think you can make a night box easy enuf for now but read this and oh...do not take him to the Vet...You need a specialized exotic Vet and they are few and far between because it takes extra education and most don't get it... We have a few here, we have really experienced people who do believe no matter what...it's for the tortoises... and we have a few idiots.
In Southern Calif not far from you there's a tortoise rescue who will go the extra length for you...If you can't find the owner and don't want to keep him EppsDynasty will come on and advise you...So let us help and don't worry...

The Best Way To Raise A Sulcata, Leopard, Or Star Tortoise

He did poop and pee in the water, and I believe the mucus came from his nose, it was between a clear and white color. Nights here at the moment don't drop lower than roughly 77 degrees, should I still try to find a heater? I'll keep searching for the owner around here for a while, but if I don't end up finding the owner, I'll make sure to ask for details of the rescue!! Thank you so much, I'll try to use this advice to make a decent shelter for the tortoise in the meantime.

 

[Maggie3fan]

Please don't let me discourage tho...they are a lot of fun, and my favorite species...I came across this looking for the swimming photos...they really like water
I love this face...they are more fun than dogs and cats put together...lol there's a lot of big Sulcata s running in the deserts after being dumped when they get big

 

[COmtnLady]

Welcome to The Tortoise Forum!

This site has the most up-to-date info, don't pay attention to the info most other places online. Also, don't trust a lot of veterinarians because very few know and understand tortoises. Run things by everyone here and we'll help as best we can.

re: white stuff -
If it came from the poop and pee, the white mucous-y looking stuff is called urates and are not something to worry about unless they go gritty or chunky, or it seems painful when the tortoise passes them in their urine. Its not an infection, it has to do with digestion of proteins.

Please read through this and the link Maggie mentioned above. They'll help (be a lot to read, but will answer a lot of things before they even occur to you for a while).

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

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and

Leopard/sulcata starter

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information below on how I’d personally tackle an indoor starter set up for a leopard/sulcata until they’re bigger. Hopefully it helps give people some ideas!” I know it looks like a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[torttor]

Thank you all for all the advice!! Update!! Thankfully, I did manage to find the owner, who had lost the tortoise a few days back. I'm very glad to know the tortoise community is very helpful and gives great advice!! Keep up all the great work guys!! Hope you all have a lovely day.

 

[Maggie3fan]

Thank you all for all the advice!! Update!! Thankfully, I did manage to find the owner, who had lost the tortoise a few days back. I'm very glad to know the tortoise community is very helpful and gives great advice!! Keep up all the great work guys!! Hope you all have a lovely day.

Thanks for the update...you might give the care sheet info to his owner...pass it on

 

[torttor]

Thanks for the update...you might give the care sheet info to his owner...pass it on

I'll send the owner the links you guys have sent. Definitely passing on the sheet info. Thank you so much

 

[Tortoise Mom TRAVIS 2025]

Water...can you actually soak him in a kiddie pool or something? How big is he? The hay would normally be decent food for him...It sounds like he needs soaking

Also watermelon! Great to Hydrate! And if there is a % Below store there I recently got a pool that folds up for $10. Looks like water on the inside! My Tortoises love it! I don't even fill it up all the way !

 

[Maggie3fan]

Also watermelon! Great to Hydrate! And if there is a % Below store there I recently got a pool that folds up for $10. Looks like water on the inside! My Tortoises love it! I don't even fill it up all the way !

Yes! I should have said it myself...