I noticed my Russian tortoise (Skully) has stopped basking. He was one years old when I received him on 07/08/23. He is still eating, although I have seen a slight reduction in his appetite but this may be because I have tried to introduce new foods.
I put him in front of the light in the morning but he just goes back into his hide and dig himself onto a hole. He only really comes out to eat. I have checked him for signs of illness and can’t see anything out of the ordinary.
He seems to be lethargic and just stays in the same spot for the most of the day or interchanges between two, if he does bask.
Sometimes I notice him retreating his head and limbs into his body sometimes his head just rests kinda limp. He also yawns a few times a day.
He used to be quite active, climbing and utilizing the space and interacting with me when I talk by sticking out his neck, but not so much now. I was away for a while so he stayed with a friend. I noticed his enclosure was a lot drier and his skin was peeling when he got back so I soaked him more frequently and he was not displaying this behavior upon his return.
He doesn’t really like water or soft food and I’ve never seen him drink not even in bath.
I’m conscious that it is October and maybe he is trying to hibernate but I’m also scared he could be stressed. I’m not sure if I am over handling him, he is in a space with a bit of foot traffic but this was never a problem before. He also lives in my room and I sometimes work from home in there so I don’t know if this is disturbing him(there is no other space for him in my home).
I’m still new to being a tortoise mom and any guidance would help! I’m not sure if it is a gods idea to make him hibernate as I haven’t had him that long.
Thanks
I put him in front of the light in the morning but he just goes back into his hide and dig himself onto a hole. He only really comes out to eat. I have checked him for signs of illness and can’t see anything out of the ordinary.
He seems to be lethargic and just stays in the same spot for the most of the day or interchanges between two, if he does bask.
Sometimes I notice him retreating his head and limbs into his body sometimes his head just rests kinda limp. He also yawns a few times a day.
He used to be quite active, climbing and utilizing the space and interacting with me when I talk by sticking out his neck, but not so much now. I was away for a while so he stayed with a friend. I noticed his enclosure was a lot drier and his skin was peeling when he got back so I soaked him more frequently and he was not displaying this behavior upon his return.
He doesn’t really like water or soft food and I’ve never seen him drink not even in bath.
I’m conscious that it is October and maybe he is trying to hibernate but I’m also scared he could be stressed. I’m not sure if I am over handling him, he is in a space with a bit of foot traffic but this was never a problem before. He also lives in my room and I sometimes work from home in there so I don’t know if this is disturbing him(there is no other space for him in my home).
I’m still new to being a tortoise mom and any guidance would help! I’m not sure if it is a gods idea to make him hibernate as I haven’t had him that long.
Thanks
