Russian Won't Leave Cave

Cheeseburger

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Hi All - We recently purchased a Russian Tortoise and set him up a nice habitat indoors. However, the little guy doesn't seem to want to leave his cave and has not eaten in 2.5 days. We have given a large variety of food including collared greens, carrots, grassland tortoise food, t-rex tortoise dry and wet formula, etc.

Is this normal since he is in a new home and needs to get settled in?

We did bath him for the second night yesterday and he defecated, so we saw that as a good sign. We have a wellness vet appointment set up, but not for a few more days.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks! K & K
 

dmmj

The member formerly known as captain awesome
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it's very normal for new tortoises to hide a lot and not eat. They're in a new territory, they don't know if there's another tortoise in the area so they're wary about it. They take a little time to adjust to new surroundings
 

Cheeseburger

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it's very normal for new tortoises to hide a lot and not eat. They're in a new territory, they don't know if there's another tortoise in the area so they're wary about it. They take a little time to adjust to new surroundings
Thank you!

At what point do I need to start worrying about the eating situation?
 

Pearly

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I know some keepers will disagree but I was getting my babies out of their caves to put them in front of their food 3 times a day the first couple of months, then twice a day, now I still feed twice a day but they can sense the food being served and often come out on their own. If they don't I scoop them up. They never turn down a meal now. I've had them for a year. They's were shipped to us as very tiny hatchlings.
 

Pearly

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For a brand new baby I'd keep him nice and warm/humid, give daily soaks, feed couple times a day. Keep things quiet/peaceful, let him get used to his new home. Read the care sheets on here and threads related to his species, enclosures, lighting, diet... You'll figure it out. But I know it can be overwhelming at the beginning. Keep asking questions, post pictures. You are already ahead one big step: you are on this Forum! The best source of reliable information:)
 

Cheeseburger

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For a brand new baby I'd keep him nice and warm/humid, give daily soaks, feed couple times a day. Keep things quiet/peaceful, let him get used to his new home. Read the care sheets on here and threads related to his species, enclosures, lighting, diet... You'll figure it out. But I know it can be overwhelming at the beginning. Keep asking questions, post pictures. You are already ahead one big step: you are on this Forum! The best source of reliable information:)
Thanks! We think our guy is about 3 years old, so not a new hatchling - but definitely taking his time getting use to a new home.
 

Speedy-1

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I have never really given Speedy a feeding time , if he is up and about he has food available I keep an eye on it and replenish it when it is gone . Basically he gets a little more than he can eat every day. He is outside now but when he was inside , if his light was on , he had food available . Cheeseburger will go through a period of adjustment to his new surroundings , if food is available , he will eat when he gets hungry !
 

Cheeseburger

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I have never really given Speedy a feeding time , if he is up and about he has food available I keep an eye on it and replenish it when it is gone . Basically he gets a little more than he can eat every day. He is outside now but when he was inside , if his light was on , he had food available . Cheeseburger will go through a period of adjustment to his new surroundings , if food is available , he will eat when he gets hungry !
Great to know! That's how I am with my dogs as well - they always have food and water available and they will take part when they desire.
 

Gillian M

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Welcome to the forum!

Patience is required here: torts take long and very long to adapt to new places. Don't worry.

Please post pics of your tort and his enclosure asap.
 

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