UniqueMind
New Member
Hi everyone
I have very sadly today lost my nearly 3 month old indian star however I cannot understand why and would really appreciate some expert help so that if I am to look after a star again I don't repeat my mistakes.
He was 3 months old, weighted 28g and was 5cm long (shell only). I have had him in my care for 1 month in which time he has gained 2g, and he was absolutely fine until yesterday afternoon when he began to act a little oddly.
His enclosure was caged at the front but covered top back and sides for humidity. He had a basking spot of around 35c and the rest of the enclosure never dropped below 22c
He was on a mix of orchid bark and grass as substrate, and so could always nibble at the grass (which he did most days) as well as eating from his food bowl which had a variety of weeds grown especially for him indoors using purchased tortoise food seeds as well as herbs such as basil and coriander for variety.
He was lively and inquisitive between naps and wasn't showing any signs of ill health.
yesterday morning he was happily eating away in the morning, but in the afternoon I noticed him hanging out in his hide where he usually only went to sleep / nap. I brought him out to check on him and he didn't seem lethargic, wasn't moving in any odd ways, just acted nervous of me (as usual - he's only known me a month) when I handled him. I noticed that he pooped 3 times in a row which was unusual but as he was still moving around I wasn't overly concerned.
He continued the pacing of his hide rather than around his full enclosure for the rest of the day until he settled down as usual before he lights went out. This morning I went to check on him as he is usually up and about pretty soon after his lights turn on at 7.30am to find that he had died in the night.
I have called the breeder I purchased him from who seems just as confused as I am so I wondered if any of you other seasoned keepers could shed any light? I hate the idea that I could have done something wrong that could have hurt him but nothing was different yesterday than the last month during which he has been fine.
I have very sadly today lost my nearly 3 month old indian star however I cannot understand why and would really appreciate some expert help so that if I am to look after a star again I don't repeat my mistakes.
He was 3 months old, weighted 28g and was 5cm long (shell only). I have had him in my care for 1 month in which time he has gained 2g, and he was absolutely fine until yesterday afternoon when he began to act a little oddly.
His enclosure was caged at the front but covered top back and sides for humidity. He had a basking spot of around 35c and the rest of the enclosure never dropped below 22c
He was on a mix of orchid bark and grass as substrate, and so could always nibble at the grass (which he did most days) as well as eating from his food bowl which had a variety of weeds grown especially for him indoors using purchased tortoise food seeds as well as herbs such as basil and coriander for variety.
He was lively and inquisitive between naps and wasn't showing any signs of ill health.
yesterday morning he was happily eating away in the morning, but in the afternoon I noticed him hanging out in his hide where he usually only went to sleep / nap. I brought him out to check on him and he didn't seem lethargic, wasn't moving in any odd ways, just acted nervous of me (as usual - he's only known me a month) when I handled him. I noticed that he pooped 3 times in a row which was unusual but as he was still moving around I wasn't overly concerned.
He continued the pacing of his hide rather than around his full enclosure for the rest of the day until he settled down as usual before he lights went out. This morning I went to check on him as he is usually up and about pretty soon after his lights turn on at 7.30am to find that he had died in the night.
I have called the breeder I purchased him from who seems just as confused as I am so I wondered if any of you other seasoned keepers could shed any light? I hate the idea that I could have done something wrong that could have hurt him but nothing was different yesterday than the last month during which he has been fine.