Not eating
- Thread starter Jaime22
- Start date
How are you measuring temps? 80 Should be the minimum, but I am guessing it is colder than you think. Usually not eating is because they are not warm enough.
A digital thermometer with probe should be good. A temp gun is my best friend. I would bump the temps a but, and soak daily.
Ok thanks for your advise. I have the probe about 2 inches above the ground is that ok or should I try to put it lower?
that's probably fine. with high humidity you really don't want your tort to get cold so 80f is your minimum even overnight. low temperature and high humidity can lead to respiratory infections. if you take a picture of your light bulbs someone here can verify that you don't have the coil type that can blind them.
This is where a temp gun comes in really handy. A couple of inches is not much, but I have found temps very different than I expected all over my enclosure. Bring the thermometer reading up to a minimum 83F temp. Get a temp gun. You can get one pretty cheap at Lowe's.
What equipment are you using for heating and lighting? UV? Night?
I also think it might be too cool. I never let babies drop below 80.
I also think it might be too cool. I never let babies drop below 80.
yillt
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 4, 2014
- Messages
- 1,027
Maybe his food is in an area that's to cold. Try moving it closer to the Che and see what happens. Do you ever notice him leaving the heat lamp? Or is he permeanately under there?
From your picture it looks like your thermometer that's under the 150watt che says 75 or 77 degrees? I'm wondering how that can be possible... that is the che in the big dome isn't it?
my 100 watt Che keeps my 210 gallon tank at 78 - 83 degrees 4 inches from the soil. my species of tortoise tolerates lower temperatures. my thermometers are in the opposite end corners and my Che is in the middle.
I would suspect that either 1. you're cooking your tortoise because your thermometer is wrong 2. you have some sort of dial setting on the cord to your che that's turned down(mine does) or 3. the che is defective.
Put your hand a couple inches from it. It should be uncomfortably hot. I bumped into mine once with my arm and it left a mark for a week.
honestly I can't imagine that you need 150 watt Che to keep that small of a tank at a minimum of 80F. the temperature guns that you point and check the temperature in different spots are only about $15 on Amazon. they're good cuz you can point them underneath a log and see what the temperature is under there.
my 100 watt Che keeps my 210 gallon tank at 78 - 83 degrees 4 inches from the soil. my species of tortoise tolerates lower temperatures. my thermometers are in the opposite end corners and my Che is in the middle.
I would suspect that either 1. you're cooking your tortoise because your thermometer is wrong 2. you have some sort of dial setting on the cord to your che that's turned down(mine does) or 3. the che is defective.
Put your hand a couple inches from it. It should be uncomfortably hot. I bumped into mine once with my arm and it left a mark for a week.
honestly I can't imagine that you need 150 watt Che to keep that small of a tank at a minimum of 80F. the temperature guns that you point and check the temperature in different spots are only about $15 on Amazon. they're good cuz you can point them underneath a log and see what the temperature is under there.
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I had a 100 watt Che for a couple of months and he was doing fine and the last couple weeks it got cold here so I was having trouble keeping it above 75 and that's when I noticed he wasn't really eating to I decided to get the 150 watt. On my way to get and infrared thermometer.
You can Google 'exotic veterinarian' or use search function here. There is a list circulating in this forum. Try typing into the search box above 'veterinarian list'...
M
Maggie Cummings
Guest
Vet list is in the table of contents
UC Davis is very good. They actually teach veterinary medicine.
Looks like you need more heat and you need to move it closer to the tortoise. Your CHE needs to be in the middle of the tank, or you need two CHEs. Also looks like you need a larger basking bulb.
Last, your open top is letting all your heat out. You need to try to close it in. Tinfoil will work if you don't think of anything else.
Cool temperatures with humidity is not good.
Update, my thermometer was wrong temp was actually 105 under the Che and 95 under the basking with hide at 80. Took him to the vet was told he was calcium deficient and was anemic was sent home with 7 shots to administer to him and with calcium supplement to give orally. Was told he might not make it.
I know Tom has already asked you this but can't see an answer, so apologies if I've mssed it, but you mention a CHE but do you have a source of UVB - such as a tube fitting or a mercury vapour bulb (MVB)?
The mvb gives heat light and essential uvb in one bulb.
UVB helps them digest their food and absorb the calcium etc.
The mvb gives heat light and essential uvb in one bulb.
UVB helps them digest their food and absorb the calcium etc.
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