Hi there, I have a new russian tortoise hatchling (approx. 4 months old). I have only had him a week, but I am trying to ensure that he'll be happy and healthy.
He did not poop until about 4-5 days after I got him (I assume his food intake was cut back before he was shipped), then he went a little two days in a row, and now a couple days without. I have been soaking him almost daily because of his young age, and I have never seen him go the bathroom in the water, either type. How long can they go without pooping until I should worry? Right now he's not eating consistently, but more days than not he's eaten at least a little bit, and a couple days he ate what seems like a lot for his size (a pile of salad about his size).
Any ways to easily add more fiber to his diet? I've tried cutting up timothy hay to put on his greens but I don't think he's touched it. I'd love to get him a little cactus but it doesn't seem very economical to buy and have shipped a big piece, and I haven't found any around here. I've seen him trying to nibble on timothy hay when he's burrowed under a pile, but I don't think he's had too much if any. His poop hasn't had any bits of hay in it that seems characteristic of say a Sulcata because of their intake.
Right now he's eating a variety of greens, and a few weeds and such that have grown from a seed mix (mostly chia right now). He gets calcium daily and TNT a few times a week. Planning to add a little Mazuri into his diet for variety as well. If anything, he's small for his age so the vet recommended to let him eat as much as he wants--I've been keeping out fresh food for him almost at all times (except maybe if he's already asleep for the night).
His behavior is very characteristic of a hatchling--a lot of sleeping/hiding, coming out to eat and bask only in the middle of the day for a bit. Getting him out of his "bed" and soaking in the lukewarm water gets him moving around and eatting quicker than if he does it on his own accord.
I have not noticed any pee since I have got him. Definitely not any urates. He has a water dish I've seen him in once, and I've replaced it daily in case he is peeing in there (would I be able to tell from the color of the water when I dump it?). Right now he's just on newspaper substrate with piles of hay and a lot of hides available (humid and dry). I assume that he could have peed on the newspaper and it could have dried before I saw it.
How often should I replace newspaper that doesn't get soiled? Every few days just in case?
On this thread is my explanation for keeping him on newspaper since I know that's generally not recommended: http://tortoiseforum.org/thread-5390.html
What frequency for urination is "normal" for a tortoise?
Thanks! Haven't been able to find any guidelines on this and he's my first tortoise. I was one of those that took a picture of his first poop...
He did not poop until about 4-5 days after I got him (I assume his food intake was cut back before he was shipped), then he went a little two days in a row, and now a couple days without. I have been soaking him almost daily because of his young age, and I have never seen him go the bathroom in the water, either type. How long can they go without pooping until I should worry? Right now he's not eating consistently, but more days than not he's eaten at least a little bit, and a couple days he ate what seems like a lot for his size (a pile of salad about his size).
Any ways to easily add more fiber to his diet? I've tried cutting up timothy hay to put on his greens but I don't think he's touched it. I'd love to get him a little cactus but it doesn't seem very economical to buy and have shipped a big piece, and I haven't found any around here. I've seen him trying to nibble on timothy hay when he's burrowed under a pile, but I don't think he's had too much if any. His poop hasn't had any bits of hay in it that seems characteristic of say a Sulcata because of their intake.
Right now he's eating a variety of greens, and a few weeds and such that have grown from a seed mix (mostly chia right now). He gets calcium daily and TNT a few times a week. Planning to add a little Mazuri into his diet for variety as well. If anything, he's small for his age so the vet recommended to let him eat as much as he wants--I've been keeping out fresh food for him almost at all times (except maybe if he's already asleep for the night).
His behavior is very characteristic of a hatchling--a lot of sleeping/hiding, coming out to eat and bask only in the middle of the day for a bit. Getting him out of his "bed" and soaking in the lukewarm water gets him moving around and eatting quicker than if he does it on his own accord.
I have not noticed any pee since I have got him. Definitely not any urates. He has a water dish I've seen him in once, and I've replaced it daily in case he is peeing in there (would I be able to tell from the color of the water when I dump it?). Right now he's just on newspaper substrate with piles of hay and a lot of hides available (humid and dry). I assume that he could have peed on the newspaper and it could have dried before I saw it.
How often should I replace newspaper that doesn't get soiled? Every few days just in case?
On this thread is my explanation for keeping him on newspaper since I know that's generally not recommended: http://tortoiseforum.org/thread-5390.html
What frequency for urination is "normal" for a tortoise?
Thanks! Haven't been able to find any guidelines on this and he's my first tortoise. I was one of those that took a picture of his first poop...