To You Newbies

[Maggie Cummings]

Another small tortoise has passed away. There seems to be so many of them dying recently and it bothers me so. You MUST make sure of your husbandry. Make sure if your baby is not outside, that your UVB bulb is fresh. Feed a good varied diet of dark leafy greens or whatever should be on his diet. Get him out daily so he gets exercise. Research and find out how much humidity is necessary for your species.

It is imperative that you research your tortoises care and that you make sure you are feeding him good food and that you are doing the things that I just mentioned. You must be aware of your little tortoises actions on a daily basis. If all the sudden he's not moving, get him to a Vet. If he's stopped eating, get him to a Vet. Is he sleeping all the time? Off to the Vet with yourself.

You should know and understand his every move. I was keeping groups of 50 or so tortoise and turtles and rarely did one die. I was always aware of how that baby was feeling and I never let one stay sleeping, he needs to get out of his pen daily and walk around some. Now my income has changed so I have had to get rid of most of my animals, now I just have 20 or so, and I know on a daily basis what each one is feeling.

I just had to say something because too many babies are dying that should live. You simply must know your species and understand the care for them.

 

[Zamric]

Well said!

my lil ones are new to me, but I cant stop watching, even when they sleep. Between Cathie and I, we have high hopes!

 

[wellington]

DITTO

 

[wellington]

Just wanted to bump this up, so more would see it

 

[Zamric]

We do have alot of new Keepers with Hatchlings... I just hope they undersatnd what is needed to care for these little ones in this, their 1st criticle year.

After the 1st year mistakes are more forgiving, but not this 1st year! Vigilance must be maintained!

 

[Kristina]

Please remember too that some babies come with issues already, either from the petstore, breeder or previous owners. Once a hatchling has been seriously dehydrated, eventual MBD and kidney failure is almost a given.

I do agree that people need to do their research, but we can't always place the blame on the person that actually has the baby when it passes.

 

[DesertGrandma]

Please remember too that some babies come with issues already, either from the petstore, breeder or previous owners. Once a hatchling has been seriously dehydrated, eventual MBD and kidney failure is almost a given.

I do agree that people need to do their research, but we can't always place the blame on the person that actually has the baby when it passes.

This is true. Some babies are sold too young, dehydrated or with parasites. An inexperienced new owner is not likely to be able to recognize these things. An initial visit with an exotics vet is highly recommended.

 

[jackrat]

Please remember too that some babies come with issues already, either from the petstore, breeder or previous owners. Once a hatchling has been seriously dehydrated, eventual MBD and kidney failure is almost a given.

I do agree that people need to do their research, but we can't always place the blame on the person that actually has the baby when it passes.

I agree 100% Kristina. I think the care recieved in the first few weeks of life has a lot of bearing on the health for the remainder of a tortoise's life.Take some time and do a little research on the origin of any prospective hatchling.

 

[Vishnu]

Thank you for posting this thread.. Sometimes, I struggle with the temps (even now) and I try to stay on top of everything. They are like my babies. And someone said they can't stop watching their tortoises. Me either. They are apart of my everyday life. Thanks again, for the thread.

 

[l0velesly]

Good post. I do not want to hear of anymore babies dying. Breaks my heart

 

[Honey]

@ Maggie3fan - I applaud what you said. I get so angered at times knowing that there are people out there who take on such a HUGE responsibility and are completely unwilling to research proper husbandry.

@ Kristina - I worry sooo much that Sheldon had such a bad first 6 months of his life that something will happen to him that I couldn't have stopped.

 

[Madkins007]

For most of us, this is a tough time of the year. Our tortoises have been indoors now for several months, and spring is still a ways off. The general stress of captivity is really high- so-so diet; inadequate exercise and enrichments; issues with heat, humidity, light, etc.; higher exposure to diseases in the substrates, poo, etc. combined with reduced resistance; and more and more and more and more.

This is a really good time of the year to regroup. Try things like:
- Take a big whiff inside the habitat. It probably needs some work, hey?
- Give the habitat a good cleaning and freshening. Polish the glass up nicely and clean the lights.
- Give the torts a good soak every week or so.
- Double check your temps and humidity.
- Try some new plants or add more plants for variety and the other benefits.
- Try some variety in the diet- when was their last treat or special meal?
- Think about the diet some- is it pretty complete? Should you add a touch of supplementation? Diets this time of year should generally be low in moisture and carbs, and high in calcium and fiber- but they still benefit from variety and treats once in a while.
- Look at the lighting. Are they getting any UVB? A good white color balance? Natural day lengths? Is the lighting baking them like an oven? Is it blindingly bright? Is there a LOT of shade and hides?
- Look at the tortoise carefully.
------ Good growth lines? Even and clean, not dry and flaky or raised?
------ Good eyes, nostrils, skin?
------ Plastron OK?
------ Good weight? and so on.

Think of it as a quarterly check-up and overhaul. I generally find I have to do something like this about every 3-4 months to one extent or another. Start the summer pen, mid-summer clean-up, start the winter pen, mid-winter clean up, etc.

 

[Honey]

Mark, that's an amazing way to look at it!!!

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

For most of us, this is a tough time of the year. Our tortoises have been indoors now for several months, and spring is still a ways off. The general stress of captivity is really high- so-so diet; inadequate exercise and enrichments; issues with heat, humidity, light, etc.; higher exposure to diseases in the substrates, poo, etc. combined with reduced resistance; and more and more and more and more.

This is a really good time of the year to regroup. Try things like:
- Take a big whiff inside the habitat. It probably needs some work, hey?
- Give the habitat a good cleaning and freshening. Polish the glass up nicely and clean the lights.
- Give the torts a good soak every week or so.
- Double check your temps and humidity.
- Try some new plants or add more plants for variety and the other benefits.
- Try some variety in the diet- when was their last treat or special meal?
- Think about the diet some- is it pretty complete? Should you add a touch of supplementation? Diets this time of year should generally be low in moisture and carbs, and high in calcium and fiber- but they still benefit from variety and treats once in a while.
- Look at the lighting. Are they getting any UVB? A good white color balance? Natural day lengths? Is the lighting baking them like an oven? Is it blindingly bright? Is there a LOT of shade and hides?
- Look at the tortoise carefully.
------ Good growth lines? Even and clean, not dry and flaky or raised?
------ Good eyes, nostrils, skin?
------ Plastron OK?
------ Good weight? and so on.

Think of it as a quarterly check-up and overhaul. I generally find I have to do something like this about every 3-4 months to one extent or another. Start the summer pen, mid-summer clean-up, start the winter pen, mid-winter clean up, etc.

Just great!

 

[Missy]

Bumping

 

[Madkins007]

Thanks for the positive feedback! I've posted this, with a few modifications, at the Tortoise Library under 'Health and Medical' as 'The Mid-Winter Blues'.

 

[tooortoisetortoise]

I am a newbie and understand.... I am currently wondering how old mine even is .....he still has a eggtooth and is about 2.5 inches....

 

[Jacob]

I Think it Goes Half and Half, the pet stores usually have no insight to what they are selling. they care about money more then anything these days, the care of the tortoises they sell are usually dehydrated, feed only lettuce, and sometimes not even any room for exercise and or a mvb light.

At The Same Time People Should reseach the animal or pet before they buy it, diet, growth, and its life.
Many just go out to the store buy it then research etc

 

[jhstagg]

I am new to owning tortoises and I thought well I should get a small baby so it can grow up around me.... I was wrong, I have a four year old sulcata also I realized they are much less work. I am constantly worrying about my baby sulcata and so far I hear that I am doing every thing correct but but I always have doubt in myself! I am home schooled so I am checking on him all the time like once every 15 minutes, he does sleep alot but is also very active. this is his care daily.... mornings I turn on his MVB and make his a mixter of foods that include-green leaf,red leaf,cactus,aloe,grass,cabbage. I soak him daily and he always has water available, he is in a forty gallon breeder and on the hot side it is 100 and on the cool side it fluctuates between 85-90.he has a dry hide and a moist hide and I also spray the whole cage around 5 times a day and a shell spray 4 times a day, he also has a piece of marble that get really warm but not to hot he love basking on that. does this sound like all the right care? I love this little guy to much for him to not have the best at all times I would be devastated to loose him!

 

[jhstagg]

I do not have an out side pen yet because it is never sunny in Oregon until about spring time, not really sure what the second thing is so I guess that would answer you question (no) and I do measer both or them once a week.

---

I do not have an out side pen yet because it is never sunny in Oregon until about spring time, not really sure what the second thing is so I guess that would answer you question (no) and I do measer both or them once a week.

Also I forgot to add that he is only 26 weeks old!