Sulcata is whistling through nose

Rymustdie

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I have two sulcatas, they live outside and have a burrow and it gets really hot here about 110° mid day so sometimes I’ll put some water into the burrow for them. Just enough to wet the dirt to keep the temp down since the burrow is man made and only about two feet down. We have a mound of dirt about 3 feet on top of the burrow to help keep it cool for them but I started noticing my bigger sulcata whistling out of her nose. I thought maybe it’s because it’s too wet down there so I’ve recently stopped wetting it. I researched and found this could be the beginning of a respiratory infection. She still eats a lot and is very active. What steps can I take to prevent it from developing any further and possibly curing it in its current stage.
 

drew54

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Usually they are caused by cooler and humid temps. Even if the burrow is only a few feet down that's much cooler than the outside temp. I would leave the water outside the burrow if they want to get a drink they can. I would not pour the water in the burrow. Maybe another member can give more info on this situation.
 

Tom

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Hello and welcome.

What size sulcatas are we talking about?

Have you ever put a thermometer probe down in the burrow where they hang out? It would be good to know what the temp is in the burrow when its 110 topside.

The chronic stress of living as a pair might be a contributing factor here. They should never live in pairs. Separate them and make a new burrow in the new enclosure, and that should help.
 

Rymustdie

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Hello and welcome.

What size sulcatas are we talking about?

Have you ever put a thermometer probe down in the burrow where they hang out? It would be good to know what the temp is in the burrow when its 110 topside.

The chronic stress of living as a pair might be a contributing factor here. They should never live in pairs. Separate them and make a new burrow in the new enclosure, and that should help.

Okay! here’s a picture of the burrow. I have not tried to probe but that’s a good idea. The tortoise (female) that is whistling actually likes the other one that’s in there (male) but he doesn’t like her so it might be good fo separate them. They are not that big at all. IMG_4973.jpg IMG_5095.jpg
 

Tom

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They are really difficult to sex when under 14". You might have two males and the one that "likes" the other is trying to dominate it and make it leave the territory. They need to be separated.

Put a temp probe down there and check the over night low and the day time high. That is the only way to know if your tortoises are getting the correct temps.
 

Rymustdie

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They are really difficult to sex when under 14". You might have two males and the one that "likes" the other is trying to dominate it and make it leave the territory. They need to be separated.

Put a temp probe down there and check the over night low and the day time high. That is the only way to know if your tortoises are getting the correct temps.

I had them checked by a vet after the female released an alarming amount of clear goop onto my counter one day. We know for sure the bigger one is a female. We’re going to check the temps over the next week to make sure they’ll be okay. The weather here is unpredictable sometimes.
 

Tom

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I had them checked by a vet after the female released an alarming amount of clear goop onto my counter one day. We know for sure the bigger one is a female. We’re going to check the temps over the next week to make sure they’ll be okay. The weather here is unpredictable sometimes.
Vets usually don't know much about tortoises and tortoise care. No one can sex them when they are small just by looking.

I had a vet tell me my male box turtle was a female. We changed the name and everything. Then one day my female pooped its guts out. We rushed her to the vet and when we got there, she had retracted her guts back inside and all seemed fine. A second vet explained that our female was actually a male and he'd just had an erection.

They all look female when they are little. At around 14" the male hormones kick in and the secondary sexual characteristics begin to take shape.
 

Papabear10

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I have two sulcatas, they live outside and have a burrow and it gets really hot here about 110° mid day so sometimes I’ll put some water into the burrow for them. Just enough to wet the dirt to keep the temp down since the burrow is man made and only about two feet down. We have a mound of dirt about 3 feet on top of the burrow to help keep it cool for them but I started noticing my bigger sulcata whistling out of her nose. I thought maybe it’s because it’s too wet down there so I’ve recently stopped wetting it. I researched and found this could be the beginning of a respiratory infection. She still eats a lot and is very active. What steps can I take to prevent it from developing any further and possibly curing it in its current stage.
My sulcata Tank also whistles sometimes amd it had got me worried but i had found out that it was just probably something in his nose. From food to water or a little mud. I have a man made burrow also but i will wet it like once a week. I know that sulcatas cannot live in damp areas. I wouldnt wet it every day. If they need water they will go get it. My Tank hates water so to make sure he stays hydrated ill just give him a few leaves of romaine every day . Tank is 5yrs old about 35 lbs
 

Rymustdie

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My sulcata Tank also whistles sometimes amd it had got me worried but i had found out that it was just probably something in his nose. From food to water or a little mud. I have a man made burrow also but i will wet it like once a week. I know that sulcatas cannot live in damp areas. I wouldnt wet it every day. If they need water they will go get it. My Tank hates water so to make sure he stays hydrated ill just give him a few leaves of romaine every day . Tank is 5yrs old about 35 lbs

Awesome thanks. I’ve stopped wetting as much as I was. Found out the whistle is just something she does. I asked the original owner and found out she’s been doing it for years. Good to know.
 
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