feefofum
New Member
Hi everyone!
I just got a 2-month old marginated tortoise last Wednesday and named him (going with him right now but who knows haha) Houdini. This is my first time raising a tortoise so I did all the research I can beforehand. Also read Chris' care sheet on marginated tortoises and that's really helpful!
I've been noticing some small clear bubbles (under 5) coming out of Houdini's nostrils whenever I wake him up from his sleep. I'm a bit concerned about whether or not he has RI. He's been pretty active for the last few days climbing up his humid hide and is eating well (fed daily and gave him bok choy, Brussel sprouts, Zucchini, and sunflower greens microgreens for this past week). Poops daily and look normal. Eyes are clear and nostrils are clean and clear except when the clear bubbles are coming out. I soak him every morning for at least 20 mins at 35-36 degrees Celcius, but he barely drinks from his water dish (maybe he does when I'm not looking idk). His current weight is 23g and SCL is 5cm.
Here are the temps of the enclosure measured with an IR temp gun:
Basking: 38 degrees Celcius
Warm side: Ranging from 26.3 to 29.4 degrees Celcius
Humid hide (under the half log): 23.5 to 25 degrees Celcius
Cool side (covered side): 24.5 degrees Celcius
Night: 24 degrees Celcius
Humidity: 50-70% depending on what time of the day, but I mist when needed to keep it between the range
He's now in a ZooMed tortoise house with Cypress Mulch as the substrate (housed indoors). For these past two days, he's been falling asleep under the basking lamp. Should I be worried about the bubbles? Or is it just signs of stress because I woke him up from his sleep?
Also, what can I do better? I've ordered some broadleaf weed online from Kapidolo farms in hopes of switching his diet from depending solely on grocery greens. Thinking of purchasing a CHE for night time to boost the temp a bit, but from the care sheet I read it said that marginated tortoises can endure the lower 70s degrees Fahrenheit at night so I'm not sure what to do.
I'm extremely sorry for the long post but I just want to provide the best to my little tort! I'm so glad that I found a community that is so loving and caring for tortoises
Pics: (Enclosure, Eating, Climbing, Basking)
I just got a 2-month old marginated tortoise last Wednesday and named him (going with him right now but who knows haha) Houdini. This is my first time raising a tortoise so I did all the research I can beforehand. Also read Chris' care sheet on marginated tortoises and that's really helpful!
I've been noticing some small clear bubbles (under 5) coming out of Houdini's nostrils whenever I wake him up from his sleep. I'm a bit concerned about whether or not he has RI. He's been pretty active for the last few days climbing up his humid hide and is eating well (fed daily and gave him bok choy, Brussel sprouts, Zucchini, and sunflower greens microgreens for this past week). Poops daily and look normal. Eyes are clear and nostrils are clean and clear except when the clear bubbles are coming out. I soak him every morning for at least 20 mins at 35-36 degrees Celcius, but he barely drinks from his water dish (maybe he does when I'm not looking idk). His current weight is 23g and SCL is 5cm.
Here are the temps of the enclosure measured with an IR temp gun:
Basking: 38 degrees Celcius
Warm side: Ranging from 26.3 to 29.4 degrees Celcius
Humid hide (under the half log): 23.5 to 25 degrees Celcius
Cool side (covered side): 24.5 degrees Celcius
Night: 24 degrees Celcius
Humidity: 50-70% depending on what time of the day, but I mist when needed to keep it between the range
He's now in a ZooMed tortoise house with Cypress Mulch as the substrate (housed indoors). For these past two days, he's been falling asleep under the basking lamp. Should I be worried about the bubbles? Or is it just signs of stress because I woke him up from his sleep?
Also, what can I do better? I've ordered some broadleaf weed online from Kapidolo farms in hopes of switching his diet from depending solely on grocery greens. Thinking of purchasing a CHE for night time to boost the temp a bit, but from the care sheet I read it said that marginated tortoises can endure the lower 70s degrees Fahrenheit at night so I'm not sure what to do.
I'm extremely sorry for the long post but I just want to provide the best to my little tort! I'm so glad that I found a community that is so loving and caring for tortoises
Pics: (Enclosure, Eating, Climbing, Basking)
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