Horsefield Tortoise help!!

Mdragon123

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Hi, I have a 4 month old horsefield tortoise. The setup in is a tortoise table, basking area is 32-33 degrees and cold area around 22-23 degrees.

The tortoise has been eating and basking as normal, yesterday he didn’t eat anything though. Have been given him daily baths, he’s seeming to flush his system out when in them too.

The tortoise hasn’t been as active lately, seems to sleep most of the day and takes ages for him to wake up. When in baths it takes ages for him to wake and get active for him to only go back to sleep after I’ve taken him out.

His diet is a range of greens (gem lettece, rocket, kale)with calcium powder every other day. We’ve also given him strawberries and red sweet pepper, but not often.

Today ive put the tortoise in his bath and he was moving, I’ve then got back to check on him and he’s not moved at all. Had read online to check if the limbs and head are in the shell, the head seems to be in his shell but the legs seem droopy. He hasn’t eaten anything today and doesn’t react even when I touch the top of his head.

what could of possibly gone wrong and what do people suggest I do? I see so much different information online I don’t know what to do...
 

wellington

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Too cold. Basking needs to be 95 to 100F
Over all day time 80F. Night can drop to 65-70F
Do not feed strawberries or sweet peppers specially to a baby.
Please read the caresheet.
 

Mdragon123

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Too cold. Basking needs to be 95 to 100F
Over all day time 80F. Night can drop to 65-70F
Do not feed strawberries or sweet peppers specially to a baby.
Please read the caresheet.

The basking temp now reads 96/97F and have put the tortoise into carrot bath. Should I turn his lights off as normal or keep them on over night to help heat him up?
 

Mdragon123

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Too cold. Basking needs to be 95 to 100F
Over all day time 80F. Night can drop to 65-70F
Do not feed strawberries or sweet peppers specially to a baby.
Please read the caresheet.

So much mixed information on sites and information from the pet store which indicates different temperatures and diets. Hard to really gauge an idea..
 

wellington

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So much mixed information on sites and information from the pet store which indicates different temperatures and diets. Hard to really gauge an idea..
Stick to only the info on this site. Pet stores and other sites do not have the updated info.
Read the caresheet here and make any needed adjustments.
 

zovick

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Hi, I have a 4 month old horsefield tortoise. The setup in is a tortoise table, basking area is 32-33 degrees and cold area around 22-23 degrees.

The tortoise has been eating and basking as normal, yesterday he didn’t eat anything though. Have been given him daily baths, he’s seeming to flush his system out when in them too.

The tortoise hasn’t been as active lately, seems to sleep most of the day and takes ages for him to wake up. When in baths it takes ages for him to wake and get active for him to only go back to sleep after I’ve taken him out.

His diet is a range of greens (gem lettece, rocket, kale)with calcium powder every other day. We’ve also given him strawberries and red sweet pepper, but not often.

Today ive put the tortoise in his bath and he was moving, I’ve then got back to check on him and he’s not moved at all. Had read online to check if the limbs and head are in the shell, the head seems to be in his shell but the legs seem droopy. He hasn’t eaten anything today and doesn’t react even when I touch the top of his head.

what could of possibly gone wrong and what do people suggest I do? I see so much different information online I don’t know what to do...
Are you sure the tortoise is still alive? It sounds rather likely that it has died if it isn't moving when you touch the head or pulling back when you tug on the legs.
 

Mdragon123

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Are you sure the tortoise is still alive? It sounds rather likely that it has died if it isn't moving when you touch the head or pulling back when you tug on the legs.

I’m unsure... I think it’s most likely passed as it still hasn’t moved. However, I’m not 100% sure so I don’t know whether it’s worth leaving him for a day or two?
 

zovick

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I’m unsure... I think it’s most likely passed as it still hasn’t moved. However, I’m not 100% sure so I don’t know whether it’s worth leaving him for a day or two?
Well, you certainly can leave it alone for a day or two to see what happens. If it doesn't move, and you start to smell a pretty bad odor, you will know it has passed away.
 
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Lyn W

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It doesn't sound good, but keep him warm as there have been cases where torts have revived after being assumed dead.
It may be too late for this but this is the most up to date caresheet.

Pictures of your enclosure and tort may help.
 

Mdragon123

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It doesn't sound good, but keep him warm as there have been cases where torts have revived after being assumed dead.
It may be too late for this but this is the most up to date caresheet.

Pictures of your enclosure and tort may help.

would it be worth keeping the light on all night to keep in warm?
I will get some pictures.
 

Lyn W

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would it be worth keeping the light on all night to keep in warm?
I will get some pictures.
Is that the only heat you have?
No night heat like a che?
 

Mdragon123

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Is that the only heat you have?
No night heat like a che?

Yes that’s the only light source, at night it’s switched off. I don’t have che bulb nor was I recommended to get one either. I was told room temps at night should be sufficient?
 

Lyn W

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Yes that’s the only light source, at night it’s switched off. I don’t have che bulb nor was I recommended to get one either. I was told room temps at night should be sufficient?
It would depend on what your room temps are and babies tend to need slightly higher temps as you will see from the caresheet.
Many pet shops are profit driven but don't have a clue about tort care or correct equipment and sadly sounds as if you have been incorrect information.
I would be wary about leaving him directly under the lamp in case he is still alive but is too weak to move away from the heat if he gets too hot.
Have a look at the caresheet for the temp range and try to figure out a way of keeping him warm without frying him.
Do you have house heating on over night?
 

Mdragon123

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It would depend on what your room temps are and babies tend to need slightly higher temps as you will see from the caresheet.
Many pet shops are profit driven but don't have a clue about tort care or correct equipment and sadly sounds as if you have been incorrect information.
I would be wary about leaving him directly under the lamp in case he is still alive but is too weak to move away from the heat if he gets too hot.
Have a look at the caresheet for the temp range and try to figure out a way of keeping him warm without frying him.
Do you have house heating on over night?

It’s a small room, heating is normally on every night until around 10pm but the rooms tend to stay quite hot, well for me anyway.

I’m just unsure on what to do tonight, do I keep the light on all night or turn it off?
 

Lyn W

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It’s a small room, heating is normally on every night until around 10pm but the rooms tend to stay quite hot, well for me anyway.

I’m just unsure on what to do tonight, do I keep the light on all night or turn it off?
If he is still alive he will need to be kept warm but you can't leave him directly under it or he will overheat.
Can you leave the heating on and place him in a box near a radiator (off the floor) and check that doesn't get too hot.
 
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