Urgent help - tortoise's head won't come out

[Jonathan14782]

I woke up this morning and found that my tortoises head was deep in his shell and he isn't moving so I don't know if he's dead or that he's stuck, like I mentioned he hasn't moved but he still has poo coming out, can anybody please help I've only had him a few weeks and I'm so scared 😭😭

 

[MenagerieGrl]

Hum, doesn't sound good, can you post a picture. . .
How have you been caring for her/Him, What kind of Tort, Age?

 

[Lyn W]

Does he react when you touch his feet?

 

[MenagerieGrl]

Does he react when you touch his feet?

And IDK if a tort can get a "stuck in it's shell" head.

 

[Jonathan14782]

Does he react when you touch his feet?

Yeah he does move and his head does come out put when I pet him his head goes in and stays there until I put him down. I recently got him and he's in a new environment

 

[Jonathan14782]

And IDK if a tort can get a "stuck in it's shell" head.

I didn't mean stuck I meant to say stay

 

[Jonathan14782]

He just doesn't move when he's being held

I didn't mean stuck I meant to say stay

 

[Lyn W]

And IDK if a tort can get a "stuck in it's shell" head.

Yes they can - we've had a couple recently but I think they were as a result of injury and swelling
The one was stuck for a few weeks and couldn't eat but survived because of keeping him hydrated, I can't remember the outcome for the other.

 

[MenagerieGrl]

Well, being held, not being held, if he is moving his head, Leg's then there's good chance he NOT dead. Does She/he have a Favorite food, try to entice them to come out & move.
Again, what kind of Tort, Age, Habitat?

 

[Lyn W]

Yeah he does move and his head does come out put when I pet him his head goes in and stays there until I put him down. I recently got him and he's in a new environment

Has he been active until now?
Torts hate change so he could just be getting used to his new home.
If you post some pics of him, his enclosure and the bulbs you use we'll help you make sure he has everything he needs to be safe and healthy. If you tell us his species we can point you in the direction of the correct caresheet.

 

[Jonathan14782]

Well, being held, not being held, if he is moving his head, Leg's then there's good chance he NOT dead. Does She/he have a Favorite food, try to entice them to come out & move.
Again, what kind of Tort, Age, Habitat?

Well my mum's friend gave him to me, she didnt know the kind or Tort. He's 7 and he's in a warm habitat. I've tried what you said and it does seem to work, I think he's just anxious it was the part when he doesn't move which is scary cause sometimes I pet him he doesn't move other times he does

 

[Lyn W]

He just doesn't move when he's being held

The chances are he doesn't like being held, most torts don't like being handled and he probably thinks you are a big predator.

 

[Lyn W]

Well my mum's friend gave him to me, she didnt know the kind or Tort. He's 7 and he's in a warm habitat. I've tried what you said and it does seem to work, I think he's just anxious it was the part when he doesn't move which is scary cause sometimes I pet him he doesn't move other times he does

Post some pics and we can ID him which is very important because different species have different care needs and need the correct diets and temperatures etc.
I'm guessing that in the UK he is either a Horsefield (Russian) Hermanns or Greek. but there are other species available and without the right diet, temps and care etc they may not live long. So let us see some photos to help you give him the best life. Meanwhile until you have the right ID don't feed fruit as most species can't handle sugars and could become ill.
Have you given him any luke, warm shallow soaks since you've had him?

 

[Maggie3fan]

Frustrating isn't it...I wanted to see the face of this pond turtle....but he said no thanks...we are the predators to them...

 

[Yvonne G]

Your new-to-you tortoise is afraid of you. To him, you're the big bad boogey man! Give him time. He'll get used to you.

 

[TammyJ]

Please post some pictures of him top and bottom? We just need to know what he is exactly so we can help you! OK? We really want to help.

 

[LeoTheWaywardTortoise]

Yes they can - we've had a couple recently but I think they were as a result of injury and swelling
The one was stuck for a few weeks and couldn't eat but survived because of keeping him hydrated, I can't remember the outcome for the other.

OMG, another nightmare scenario for me to ponder (as a new, inexperienced, surprise sulcata guardian). 😳

 

[Lyn W]

OMG, another nightmare scenario for me to ponder (as a new, inexperienced, surprise sulcata guardian). 😳

Something to do with getting caught in or bashed by doors and windows if I remember rightly so as long your sully isn't allowed to wander around in places where that could happen, that will keep him safe.

 

[LeoTheWaywardTortoise]

Something to do with getting caught in or bashed by doors and windows if I remember rightly so as long your sully isn't allowed to wander around in places where that could happen, that will keep him safe.

Thanks, Lyn! He should be good, then. I'm taking in everything that I read on TFO, and I'm so glad I found it soon after Leo showed up. Such awesome people who are so generous with their experience... I'm so grateful.

 

[mb1212]

I woke up this morning and found that my tortoises head was deep in his shell and he isn't moving so I don't know if he's dead or that he's stuck, like I mentioned he hasn't moved but he still has poo coming out, can anybody please help I've only had him a few weeks and I'm so scared 😭😭

Pick him up silly. Put him some warm water.