Tortellini (Eastern Hermann) is about 4-6 months old and is 76g. I keep him in a vivarium because it is terribly dry in the winter (like my own body is cracking because it’s so dry). It’s around 70%~80% at all times. Cool zone 28c, hot zone 33c, central 30c. He had sun soak time until early november, and then UVB was off for three weeks. I turned UVB on this Monday, 11-12hrs. I did this because I learned midway coil bulbs are bad, and ordered the proper uvb which took three weeks to arrive because Christmas.
The past two days he’s started not eating, or at least eating way less. The first day he finished half, the second day he finished 1/3, today he ate three bites or something. I think he knows it’s dead winter, because of the food + I woke up late this week and turned on the lights 2-4 hrs later than usual.
I feed him: mallow leaves, kale leaves, endives, pansies, boston fern leaves, wheat grass. Usually there’s way more variety (which maybe he’s gotten used to?), but it’s winter and my garden is pretty closed. Also, it’s pretty much the first time I’ve fed him stuff outside of my garden, as well.
His tongue is pink, he’s pooping regularly (1-2times a day), he swims and soaks, drinks regularly. His eye is bright and he is still being his cheeky self! Just lessy monchy. I will say he’s grown immensely in the three months I’ve had him, and he did overeat last week (my sister fed him without my knowledge and trust me she’s heard enough about why she shouldn’t).
Is he trying to hibernate? Could it be vitamin A deficiency? How do I get him to eat again.. I haven’t wormed him because he’s so little, and I don’t have the know how to hibernate a tortoise younger than a year. Help!
I’m still a new owner, and am trying my best to be educated. Please be gentle!
The past two days he’s started not eating, or at least eating way less. The first day he finished half, the second day he finished 1/3, today he ate three bites or something. I think he knows it’s dead winter, because of the food + I woke up late this week and turned on the lights 2-4 hrs later than usual.
I feed him: mallow leaves, kale leaves, endives, pansies, boston fern leaves, wheat grass. Usually there’s way more variety (which maybe he’s gotten used to?), but it’s winter and my garden is pretty closed. Also, it’s pretty much the first time I’ve fed him stuff outside of my garden, as well.
His tongue is pink, he’s pooping regularly (1-2times a day), he swims and soaks, drinks regularly. His eye is bright and he is still being his cheeky self! Just lessy monchy. I will say he’s grown immensely in the three months I’ve had him, and he did overeat last week (my sister fed him without my knowledge and trust me she’s heard enough about why she shouldn’t).
Is he trying to hibernate? Could it be vitamin A deficiency? How do I get him to eat again.. I haven’t wormed him because he’s so little, and I don’t have the know how to hibernate a tortoise younger than a year. Help!
I’m still a new owner, and am trying my best to be educated. Please be gentle!