Small Wood Chips got stuck into my tortoise's tails

[AkashPandya]

Hi there

I have a pair of Greek Tortoise, I brought the wood chips to keep in their habitat, but earlier this morning i saw that on the both of them wood chips are stuck into their tails,
I have tried to take that out using sharp and small objects but it seems so hardly stuck and couldn't took out.

I am worried about them. overall they're healthy and eating.

I am attaching a pictures to get a better idea.
Please advise if there's any suggestions you guys have.

 

[Tom]

Hi there

I have a pair of Greek Tortoise, I brought the wood chips to keep in their habitat, but earlier this morning i saw that on the both of them wood chips are stuck into their tails,
I have tried to take that out using sharp and small objects but it seems so hardly stuck and couldn't took out.

I am worried about them. overall they're healthy and eating.

I am attaching a pictures to get a better idea.
Please advise if there's any suggestions you guys have.

Hello and welcome.

Wood chips are not a suitable substrate for tortoises. Are they eating the chips, or is it simply stuck to their cloacal opening due to the wetness?

I would soak the tortoises and try to wipe it away.

Also, tortoises should never be housed in pairs. This is very bad for both of them. They need to be separated as soon as possible.

Here is the care info you need. There is also a temperate species care sheet near the bottom:

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[AkashPandya]

Hello and welcome.

Wood chips are not a suitable substrate for tortoises. Are they eating the chips, or is it simply stuck to their cloacal opening due to the wetness?

I would soak the tortoises and try to wipe it away.

Also, tortoises should never be housed in pairs. This is very bad for both of them. They need to be separated as soon as possible.

Here is the care info you need. There is also a temperate species care sheet near the bottom:

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

Hi Tom
Thank you for your quick response and the care sheet,

Is there any specific reason to not to keep them in pairs? Its been a while now they're living together.

I have tried to wipe but out but didn't work. Please advise.

 

[AkashPandya]

It simply got stuck on their cloacal opening.
and no they're not eating wood chips.

 

[Tom]

It simply got stuck on their cloacal opening.
and no they're not eating wood chips.

Soak them for 30 minutes in warm water and then you should be able to wipe the debris away, but they need a different substrate.

Read #9 in the link I left for you for the pair explanation.

 

[wellington]

They also need a bigger enclosure each. That small tank is not suitable at all!
Please read the caresheet Tom left you. There is a lot of changes needed ASAP. Lighting, substrate, enclosure size, etc. nothing in the pictures look right at all.

 

[AkashPandya]

Soak them for 30 minutes in warm water and then you should be able to wipe the debris away, but they need a different substrate.

Read #9 in the link I left for you for the pair explanation.

Well noted

Will do it right away. And will keep you posted with the updates

Thanks Tom

 

[AkashPandya]

Well noted

Will do it right away. And will keep you posted with the updates

Thanks Tom

Hi Tom

I did exactly as suggested, but unable to get it out. however both seemed pretty healthy and nothing out of ordinary noticed since yesterday.

They both had wood chips stuck to their cloacal opening. but yesterday i saw it in only one, i think the other got automatically out.

 

[AkashPandya]

They also need a bigger enclosure each. That small tank is not suitable at all!
Please read the caresheet Tom left you. There is a lot of changes needed ASAP. Lighting, substrate, enclosure size, etc. nothing in the pictures look right at all.

Hi

I will share some clear pictures so that you can advise what needs to be changed.
thanks