Wilted greens-

[Moozillion]

I know my new tort, who just got here TODAY, is burrowed in because she's scared and confused in her new home. Thanks to this forum, I was expecting that. The greens (spring mix and collards) are wilting. I know she can go for several days without eating as she adjusts. Should I replace the wilted greens with fresh greens TONIGHT or should I pick them up tonight and put out fresh greens tomorrow? There are spider plants and Swedish ivy growing in her enclosure so I guess she could eat those if she wanted?

 

[wellington]

First CONGRATS. I always leave the greens until the morning. If they dry out they will still eat them. Then in the morning, replace with fresh. Do less though until she has come out and eaten, then you can always give more. Until she is used to eating in her new home, then you can give a normal good handful.

 

[Moozillion]

Thanks! After COMPLETELY burying herself in the substrate under the basking light, she's now poking just her head out- SO cute!!! The temp gun says her front leg is 81 degrees (hahaha- I LOVE that temp gun: greatest thing since sliced bread!!!)

 

[wellington]

Very cute. Don't forget pics Yes those temp guns are fun. Never just one shot, always shooting temps all over the enclosure. Well other areas of the house too

 

[mainey34]

Lol. Cute. Glad you love your temp gun. They will eat those greens if they are dried up, so you can leave them till morning. The poor dear is just scared. She will come around. Don't forget to talk to her, let her hear your voice. And most importantly. Enjoy!

 

[Moozillion]

Thanks so much for all the reassurance and tort experience! She came out and ate some and strolled through the cool end. Now she's gone subterranean under her basking light again- no sign at all! I very gently poke a finger into the substrate until I finally touch shell- then I feel better! How in the WORLD do you ever find them in bigger outdoor enclosures?!?!!!

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

Thanks so much for all the reassurance and tort experience! She came out and ate some and strolled through the cool end. Now she's gone subterranean under her basking light again- no sign at all! I very gently poke a finger into the substrate until I finally touch shell- then I feel better! How in the WORLD do you ever find them in bigger outdoor enclosures?!?!!!

Once they get used to you, they quit hiding...my four, when I ring their bell, come runniing from wherever thay're at in whichever enclosure they're currently inhabiting (currently in my kitchen, while I'm enlarging their outside home).

Outside, if it's too hot, they sleep in the cave I built them, as it's cooler under there, otherwise they mostly sleep under one of the bushes when they're not grazing, killing time between their "official" feeding and "soak in the water dish time"...it's a great life being a pet tortoise.

And, yes, they don't mind wilted greens, but spoiled (slimy) greens is a bad idea.