New tortoise owner

KarenSoCal

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Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
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Jul 8, 2017
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Low desert 50 mi SE of Palm Springs CA
He’s fine now! His enclosure is coming a long!

This is the best thing you've said since you started posting! :D You finally see with your own eyes that Coco is a normal, healthy, happy little guy that just wants to eat, walk, soak, and sleep.

If you will stop panicking every time he does something slightly different or something you've never seen before, as you calmly watch and observe you will learn lots more what makes him who he is.

But speeding into hyperdrive and making fast changes and upping this and lowering that in a frenzy will cause you to make mistakes, and certainly stresses Coco to the extreme.

Stay calm, stay centered, work one problem at a time. Don't research on other sites or FB groups. This is the only place for you to ask questions and get a responsible answer.

I also think it would be helpful for you to start with post # 1 and slowly reread this entire thread. Remind yourself of what was recommended, and what you've done to fulfill those recommendations. If something is not done, tell us what it is, so we can do it. One thing at a time…it's not the time for you to be practicing multi-tasking.

One at a time, cool and calm, we'll get it beautiful for Coco.
 

Maggie3fan

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Jun 30, 2018
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PacificNorthWest
A plus side to having a tort is you also look like you eat super healthy all the time! Lol

So many cashiers have asked what I make with all of it ?
My Safeway makes up boxes of their 'trim' produce. I get different leaves trimmed off the produce 'weeds' in quantity. I get 3 'orange' sized boxes a week. So I procure 'good' stuff, weeds, Optunia cactus, growing blooms and add it tall to the produce, in the winter. Also a 1/2 bale of hay.
Since I just turned on his light at around 5 should I turn it off already? It’s 9pm my here!!

Pretend his light is the sun, on in the morning, and off at night. 12 hours. example...7 am to 7 pm. Put that light on a timer.
 

Maggie3fan

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I been using a Q tip to wet his shell and little head with some water!!
Stop, soak him in warm water 2 times a day. Stop messing with him, he needs alone time to adjust to his new life. Don't watch him eat. ALL turtles and tortoises HATE to be watched and will stop their activity. Read that care sheet.
 

Maggie3fan

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Take him to the vet ASAP
NO! He is not sick. The OP is a bit neurotic about a new tortoise. 'Most' Veterinarians will not take the extra years of education to become an "exotic" Vet. They are normally hard to find. You cannot just run him off to Joe Blow Animal Hospital. So we do not recommend running off to the Vet because his eyes are white, or his nose is red, or he's sleeping on the cold side etc.
 

Crystallynda

Active Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2021
Messages
689
Location (City and/or State)
Las Vegas
Yep, I’m definitely not risking it!!
This is the best thing you've said since you started posting! :D You finally see with your own eyes that Coco is a normal, healthy, happy little guy that just wants to eat, walk, soak, and sleep.

If you will stop panicking every time he does something slightly different or something you've never seen before, as you calmly watch and observe you will learn lots more what makes him who he is.

But speeding into hyperdrive and making fast changes and upping this and lowering that in a frenzy will cause you to make mistakes, and certainly stresses Coco to the extreme.

Stay calm, stay centered, work one problem at a time. Don't research on other sites or FB groups. This is the only place for you to ask questions and get a responsible answer.

I also think it would be helpful for you to start with post # 1 and slowly reread this entire thread. Remind yourself of what was recommended, and what you've done to fulfill those recommendations. If something is not done, tell us what it is, so we can do it. One thing at a time…it's not the time for you to be practicing multi-tasking.

One at a time, cool and calm, we'll get it beautiful for Coco.
thank you! His substrate is in..working on temps and humidity..figured his flat rock holds his temps well...”he actually goes up there from time to time”

he’s currently inside his little green hide that I prob need to darken for him!
Next really really is a better enclosure with better lighting! but I think he’s good for now!! ??
 

zackary2431

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Jan 7, 2021
Messages
45
Location (City and/or State)
Los Angeles
NO! He is not sick. The OP is a bit neurotic about a new tortoise. 'Most' Veterinarians will not take the extra years of education to become an "exotic" Vet. They are normally hard to find. You cannot just run him off to Joe Blow Animal Hospital. So we do not recommend running off to the Vet because his eyes are white, or his nose is red, or he's sleeping on the cold side etc.
Take him to a herpetologist , it’s better then anybody’s word on here. Better safe then sorry
 

Maggie3fan

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Take him to a herpetologist , it’s better then anybody’s word on here. Better safe then sorry
OMG! I cannot believe you said that. I have been an active participating member here since 2008. I am 75 years old and have operated a small turtle and tortoise rescue here in Oregon for a number of years. My sister before me has operated a large turtle rescue in California for almost 30 years. I keep a couple of different tortoise species and many box turtles. I am experienced in chelonian care and keeping. There are members here that have kept and bred chelonia for years and keep many tortoises, not just one. The advice and information found here is on the cutting edge. Daily trial and experience. There are several Veterinarians here, they are personable and experienced. BUT, in order to have that designation "exotic" they had to take MORE educational courses than a dog and cat Vet, adds some years to their education. But then they must run a practice yet continue to learn daily about exotics. MOST Vets will not go to that extent. So 'exotic' Vets are rare, and hard to find. We have an extensive list here.
We have freakin experts here who have kept reptiles before they were fashionable. We have top of the line breeders. We do recommend going to a Vet AFTER the experienced keepers have tried to diagnose whatever problem is there first. MOST times our experts solve the problem, saving some newbie the $150 for the visit.
Frankly I feel insulted and disgusted by your comments. You are new here yet one of your first comments is to insult TFO as a whole. Had you simply suggested the OP take the animal to the Vet, that's your advice and that's fine, but you say, "it’s better then anybody’s word on here." Really? How do YOU know, you haven't been here long enough to know squat about US. So you spend a few days here and make a judgement on us, us, people. So in the same context I say, "You are not informed enough about us to make a judgement". So if that is your advice... "it’s better then anybody’s word on here". My advice to you is to take a hike. Don't come here to a place that is important and special to ME, and throw insults at us. I know the Nazi moderator will cut this out but before they do... you are a jerk. So let it be known I don't want you here. Go get your out dated information somewhere else
 

Crystallynda

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Jan 13, 2021
Messages
689
Location (City and/or State)
Las Vegas
I been posting pics of the updates of cocos inside enclosure! With pics where he slept all night, last night! I think he likes his substrate to much lol because he’s covered...Walton his lower end and mouth!

I sprinkled a little more of vitamins and calcium with D3 today in his food just incase!

Cause he’s still wanting to eat his substrate so I’m assuming he’s in need of vitamins!!
Very little!! I didn’t coat his whole food! ??
 

Maggie3fan

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Joined
Jun 30, 2018
Messages
8,046
Location (City and/or State)
PacificNorthWest
I been posting pics of the updates of cocos inside enclosure! With pics where he slept all night, last night! I think he likes his substrate to much lol because he’s covered...Walton his lower end and mouth!

I sprinkled a little more of vitamins and calcium with D3 today in his food just incase!

Cause he’s still wanting to eat his substrate so I’m assuming he’s in need of vitamins!!
Very little!! I didn’t coat his whole food! ??
I have not seen any photos. Walton? What is that? Stop with the calcium powder!!!!!!!! Sprinkle a little amount over his food twice a week. You will pyramid him if you keep that up. Too much calcium powder is bad. Eat his substrate? I have never had a tort do that. Feed him more twice a day.
 

Crystallynda

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Jan 13, 2021
Messages
689
Location (City and/or State)
Las Vegas
I have not seen any photos. Walton? What is that? Stop with the calcium powder!!!!!!!! Sprinkle a little amount over his food twice a week. You will pyramid him if you keep that up. Too much calcium powder is bad. Eat his substrate? I have never had a tort do that. Feed him more twice a day.
Lol Walton

My phones autocorrect is weird...I think that was supposed to be because or something ??

I posted the photos on the newest forum that’s so weird!!
 
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