Baby tortoise looking a bit "fluffy" - Help!

[Maylin_4_sulcata]

We have two baby sulcatas that are 3.5 - 4 months. They currently live in a large cement mixing tub with coco coir substrate, a hide, access to water, a heat emitter, uv lighting, and their basking spot is 90-95 degrees F, and around 80 everywhere else. I also take them outside for a while every other day and soak them about 5x a week. Their diet consists mainly of grass, weeds, and greens and eat about once a day. Tortuga is doing just fine. Toka was doing good, but I noticed he started looking a bit fluffy on his legs and neck. He is also less active than Tortuga, but he has always been fiestier than Toka since day one. Does anyone have any idea? I'm trying to upload pictures and it won't let me. It's not super swollen but it's fluffier than it was and more so than his brother. Thanks in advance!

 

[wellington]

They need to be separated and in a closed chamber with 80% humidity. They both need to eat at least once a daily but should have food available all the time. Read atoms closed chamber thread and make two enclosures according to the thread.

 

[TammyJ]

It would be good to see some pictures, I don't understand what you mean by "fluffy"?

 

[zovick]

I would guess that means the skin is swollen or puffed out in appearance. That is a sign of kidney failure. Not a good prognosis for the poor tortoise. Is the shell beginning to feel soft also?

 

[Tom]

Hello and welcome.

Most of the care info for this species that you'll find out in the world is wrong. Its based on 30 year old incorrect assumptions about how they live in the wild. This being the case, most breeders start them far too dry, and most people house them far too dry. Where did you get yours and how were they started?

There is no way to maintain the correct monsoon-like conditions in an open tub, unless the entire room is warm and humid 24/7, like in a reptile or fish room. Also, they should never be housed in pairs. Groups of babies will usually get along, but not pairs.

Here is the correct care info that will help your babies thrive:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

They need to be separated ASAP, and knowing their origin should offer a clue about what might be going on.