Tortoise not getting up during the day or eating

B3thL

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Hi, something similar may have been asked before, but I'll ask anyway.
My young horsfield tortoise (just under a year or so) has always been an active climber, eater and digger; but the last few days, he has not been getting up at all during the day, and consequently not eating. I left it for the first day as maybe it was a one off, but now for the past 4-5 days he won't get up unless I wake him up myself. I've checked him over and I think he looks okay. His nose and eyes seem clear and his shell is firm. He may be a bit dehydrated, so I'm being strict about giving him daily baths (it was every few days before). He eats a little (a few bites) once I wake him up and give him a warm soak, but still not like his usual greedy self. At the same time as this started, I moved his enclosure into a different room. The temperature is no different, but it may be a little darker. He has a basking light (Mercury vapour), so it's not like his enclosure itself is any darker. I also think he is a little weaker, as when he walks, he is almost touching the floor. Could it be he just needs a more humid environment, the lighting, change of room, time of year (start of August, UK) or what? It's like all he wants to do is sleep. Should I keep digging him up for soaks each day or leave him be?
Any advice is appreciated.
 

Maggie3fan

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That means maybe the quality of light is weak...and his temps my be off. He stopped eating due to you changing things...so take one thing at a time and make sure his temps are 85 or better. I dig them up daily and feed or offer food. Check that basking temp...
 

B3thL

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That means maybe the quality of light is weak...and his temps my be off. He stopped eating due to you changing things...so take one thing at a time and make sure his temps are 85 or better. I dig them up daily and feed or offer food. Check that basking temp...
Thanks for the reply. I will keep waking him up and encouraging him to eat something after I soak him. He will only be in this different room for a week whilst I am away so that it's easier for the person looking after him. Then I will move him back to the brighter room. I'll check the temp in the enclosure too. I might also book him in for a general health check at the vet when I get back just to be sure. Thanks!
 

mark1

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i agree with Maggie , light and temp ..... i'd lean towards light if you can notice the difference .... these guys life revolves around the sun , you cannot reproduce the sun indoors , imo , anecdotally , the closer you get the better ....... the turtles i bring in the house in the winter , my electric bill doubles , i'm far from a light expert , but i do know BRIGHT , if i could make it bright enough to need sunglasses , personally i'd do it.......my thought is folks who have a problem with turtles wanting to hibernate in the winter indoors have more of a light problem than temp problem , not that temp cannot be a problem .......... i have an aproximate 12x15x7 unheated room in my basement to over winter some R.P. manni , it is lit by 20 t-8 fluorescent bulbs and one 250 watt infrared bulb , the plants and turtles have thrived in there , long term ..........
 

Maggie3fan

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i agree with Maggie , light and temp ..... i'd lean towards light if you can notice the difference .... these guys life revolves around the sun , you cannot reproduce the sun indoors , imo , anecdotally , the closer you get the better ....... the turtles i bring in the house in the winter , my electric bill doubles , i'm far from a light expert , but i do know BRIGHT , if i could make it bright enough to need sunglasses , personally i'd do it.......my thought is folks who have a problem with turtles wanting to hibernate in the winter indoors have more of a light problem than temp problem , not that temp cannot be a problem .......... i have an aproximate 12x15x7 unheated room in my basement to over winter some R.P. manni , it is lit by 20 t-8 fluorescent bulbs and one 250 watt infrared bulb , the plants and turtles have thrived in there , long term ..........
But...I need pictures!
 

B3thL

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Aug 7, 2021
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Gateshead
i agree with Maggie , light and temp ..... i'd lean towards light if you can notice the difference .... these guys life revolves around the sun , you cannot reproduce the sun indoors , imo , anecdotally , the closer you get the better ....... the turtles i bring in the house in the winter , my electric bill doubles , i'm far from a light expert , but i do know BRIGHT , if i could make it bright enough to need sunglasses , personally i'd do it.......my thought is folks who have a problem with turtles wanting to hibernate in the winter indoors have more of a light problem than temp problem , not that temp cannot be a problem .......... i have an aproximate 12x15x7 unheated room in my basement to over winter some R.P. manni , it is lit by 20 t-8 fluorescent bulbs and one 250 watt infrared bulb , the plants and turtles have thrived in there , long term ..........
Thanks for the reply. Yes I have one Mercury vapour bulb for both heat, uv and light, but I am in the process of building a big enclosure and think it might be best to use separate bulbs for uv and heat so I can adjust them separately. When I took him outside during a short sunny spell, he perked up a bit, so I think it is the light. Thanks for the help!
 

B3thL

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20210817_121809.jpghere is a picture of him if that is of any help too. I am in the process of building him a bigger enclosure that will be more brightly lit and a more reliable ambient temperature. I have a backup heat bulb that I turn on when I am around during the day and after a while under that, he perks up a bit and will eat with encouragement (plantain and lambs lettuce today) so I definitely agree that it may be a change in the temperature. Once I have the new enclosure done and he has settled in, I'll give an update. Still happy to hear any advice/opinions for the time being though :)
 
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