Bathroom help (a urates question)

[PenguinFan]

I'm a new tortus owner and have a question. . My tort went #2 in his water dish and it was white and runny. . (I'm trying not to sound to gross).. is this normal. .. he still isn't eating also. . Not that I can notice. . I'm now trying tomatoes, squash, green peppers, mustered greens along with his dry land pellets. . I was told he is in a hibernation mode and won't eat that much this time of year. . Is this correct?

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

hello! yes the white running stuff is completely normal! what temps are his cage? sometimes torts don't eat because the temps are to low. i would not hibernate him till you have had him for at least a year.

 

[PenguinFan]

The temps are about 87°/75° .. how do you stop them from hibernating.?

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

to stop them from hibernating, just increase the cage temps a bit to "trick" them into thinking its still summer i have never hibernated my russians and they are in perfect health.

 

[PenguinFan]

Great thank you for the help. . I guess I'll just buy another bulb. .

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

your temps seem around fine at the moment

 

[ascott]

Great thank you for the help. . I guess I'll just buy another bulb. .

Don't dispair if all of your efforts are met with a tort still insistent on brumating for the winter....there are alot of tortoise that no matter what you do, they are hard wired to sleep for the season....you may end up letting him do his thing...and yes, it is absolutely better to try to keep the sleepers awake for the first year--this is time that you need to get to know your tort....so, for this winter just understand you will be as stressed out as the tortoise..just for different reasons is all...good luck...

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

Ditto to ascott
Here's a lovely caresheet-http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
My russian's slowing down, but I don't hibernate (everyone's personal choice) so e just must lazier and less active, but awake.