- Joined
- Dec 19, 2012
- Messages
- 358
Okay, so I know I have a predator after my tortoises. Even after I went to great lengths to secure their sleep box, something got in an killed 2 more while they were locked in there overnight.
So, I've started locking them all in plastic bins with secure lids, at night. I always put them away before dark.
Last night, I was out and couldn't get home as it fell dark. I arrived home about 30 mins after dark, and immediately went to put the torts away....the predator had already gotten at one of them (I think I actually scared it off, as it didn't actually kill the tort).
I've been setting traps, and getting nothing but little mice, and I'm pretty sure it's NOT a mouse doing this.
Anyway, my question...the predator ate both of the torts front legs, down to the bone. He still has his feet....it's like he was completely tucked in his shell, and something was biting at his legs. It also chewed up a couple spots on the back of his shell pretty badly (it's now white and oozing).
I washed him, cleaned the wounds the best I could, and have been keeping him dry, in a clean bin with no substrate in it (I don't want anything in his leg wounds). I'm also keeping him extra warm.
I currently have a small dish of drinking water in there, but it's not big enough for him to soak in.
We have one exotics vet on the island, and I'm trying to get into see her today (she actually called in sick this morning, but is supposed to be coming in in the afternoon)....I'm just wondering what I should do for him until he's seen by a vet.
I honestly have no idea if they have the equipment / knowledge to treat him here, but I'm hoping so.
Any advice on what to do for him would be wonderful.
I'm at work right now (with my tortoise), but won't be able to get pics until I'm home.
Thanks so much!
So, I've started locking them all in plastic bins with secure lids, at night. I always put them away before dark.
Last night, I was out and couldn't get home as it fell dark. I arrived home about 30 mins after dark, and immediately went to put the torts away....the predator had already gotten at one of them (I think I actually scared it off, as it didn't actually kill the tort).
I've been setting traps, and getting nothing but little mice, and I'm pretty sure it's NOT a mouse doing this.
Anyway, my question...the predator ate both of the torts front legs, down to the bone. He still has his feet....it's like he was completely tucked in his shell, and something was biting at his legs. It also chewed up a couple spots on the back of his shell pretty badly (it's now white and oozing).
I washed him, cleaned the wounds the best I could, and have been keeping him dry, in a clean bin with no substrate in it (I don't want anything in his leg wounds). I'm also keeping him extra warm.
I currently have a small dish of drinking water in there, but it's not big enough for him to soak in.
We have one exotics vet on the island, and I'm trying to get into see her today (she actually called in sick this morning, but is supposed to be coming in in the afternoon)....I'm just wondering what I should do for him until he's seen by a vet.
I honestly have no idea if they have the equipment / knowledge to treat him here, but I'm hoping so.
Any advice on what to do for him would be wonderful.
I'm at work right now (with my tortoise), but won't be able to get pics until I'm home.
Thanks so much!