Found leopard need help

[Nosignal]

I'm new here and posted how I had adopted a found leopard tortoise that I named Karoo. Well I found another one but this one isn't doing very well and I could use some help. I found this tort in about the same spot as the last one. Which makes me believe someone dumped them both and I have found them 5 months apart or there could be a large female that had escaped and laid her eggs in the wild and this two are from that clutch. They both seem to be about the same age but I don't have the experience to tell. I live in southern California and the nights are getting very cold and dry. The tort I found is very thin looking and weak. Eyes are still clear though and she had grass clippings hanging from her mouth when i found her and I had my wife pick her up from me at work and she soaked her in a warm bath which she drank from and pooped multiple times in also. We have put her in a separate cage with heat lamps with food and water but any other tips would be greatly appreciated

 

[Tom]

All the care info is right here:
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/

Daily warm soaks and warm temps day and night will hopefully bring them back and prevent sickness.

 

[Nosignal]

10-4. thanks Tom appreciate the help. I'll read over those and see what I can do

 

[wellington]

Hello and Welcome. Follow the caresheet Tom posted, it will give them the best chance. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Nosignal]

Thanks, I've read over it but the tort doesnt seem to be able to eat so wasnt sure how to feed the the non store bought produce like grass to a animal that is to weak to eat.

 

[Tom]

Thanks, I've read over it but the tort doesnt seem to be able to eat so wasnt sure how to feed the the non store bought produce like grass to a animal that is to weak to eat.

Do you have the temps up? Have you warm water soaked him? It may take a few days of warm temps and hydration to bring him back.

You could try a warm baby food soak. Get a jar of carrot or yam baby food and mix that into the soaking water. This should give the tortoise a little nutrient boost that often helps.

 

[Yvonne G]

Thanks, I've read over it but the tort doesnt seem to be able to eat so wasnt sure how to feed the the non store bought produce like grass to a animal that is to weak to eat.

If you saw poop, it's eating. And it's quite ok to feed it store bought dark, leafy greens. Just mix in a few edible weeds.

 

[TerrapinStation]

Best of luck.... I hope the tort pulls through.

 

[Nosignal]

Thanks yall. Cage temp is 70 degrees with a humidity of 50-70 percent. Soaked him yesterday twice for 15 min each soak. I soaked him this morning also. Going to soak with the baby food tonight. Glad to know it may take a few days to see any sign of recovery. Just really want to do my best and give him a fighting chance.

 

[SarahChelonoidis]

Thanks yall. Cage temp is 70 degrees with a humidity of 50-70 percent. Soaked him yesterday twice for 15 min each soak. I soaked him this morning also. Going to soak with the baby food tonight. Glad to know it may take a few days to see any sign of recovery. Just really want to do my best and give him a fighting chance.

70F is quite cool for a leopard. I believe you want 80F for the low for young tortoises of this species.

 

[leigti]

Get the temperature to at least 80°. Don't let it get below 80. 70 is too cold for them to digest their food. And humidity with cooler temperatures will give them a respiratory infection.

 

[Nosignal]

Thanks for the advice and help but the tort decided to move on to warmer greener pastures. I rechecked the tank and it was at 82 degrees 45% humidty but i think it had been out in the cold for to long before i found it. I gave it a solid effort and thanks again for your time and advice.

 

[leigti]

I'm sorry, you gave it a good try though.

 

[Jacqui]

You tried.

 

[teresaf]

Are you sure? Sometimes it's hard to tell. Maybe if you raise the temps?

 

[Nosignal]

It may sound weird but I still soaked him/her tonight just hoping I was being fooled and it never moved. I also tickled/pulled on a back foot with no response or movement. I tried and am very frustrated that I couldn't save him/her. I can hope that he/she was at least some what comfortable when they left and not cold and alone. I really truly wanted it to make it, it would have been so cool for Karoo to have a roaming buddy. And it would be (still kinda of is) a cool story to find and raise a pair of tortoises.

 

[leigti]

You might want to make it a group instead of a pair. Paris don't usually do well.

 

[Nosignal]

I have been more then lucky (should play the lotto) so far so it may just be Karoo for the time being, unless I find a more.

 

[Bestcoast]

You might want to make it a group instead of a pair. Paris don't usually do well.

Why are pairs not a good idea? Just curious.

 

[mike taylor]

Tortoises are first and foremost solitary animals . They compete for food,shelter, mates,and territories. They spend their days walking eating and chasing out other tortoises from their territory.