Unusual behaviour (sleeping a lot)

Bexstar · Jun 16, 2019

Hi all,
At the moment my horsefield tort isnt eating very well and is sleeping quite a lot. I have a feeling it may be to do with the weather even though the temp in her tort table is the same as normal. Is anybody else experiencing this?

katieandiggy · Jun 16, 2019

Yep! I’m experiencing exactly the same thing with mine. He did the same thing last year too. I’m also part of another uk tortoise group and there are so many people on there with the same issue.
I just ordered a worm count to rule out any parasites but I suspect it is the weather.

dmmj · Jun 16, 2019

Temps are normal? May I ask what they are? What season is it there?

katieandiggy · Jun 16, 2019

We are having a colder than normal start to the year. Most indoor tortoises probably have only been able to go out a couple of days so far this year. It’s wet and dreary. [emoji17] I know the torts sense that.

Ben02 · Jun 16, 2019

Yes, it has been a cold start to the supposedly “warm” season in the uk. I haven’t been able to get my tortoises out as much as I would like. Even I am confused by the weather so I can imagine the effect on tortoises.

er9m · Jun 17, 2019

Although i live in different region, where it is hot, but mine sleeps too.

Bexstar · Jun 17, 2019

Thankyou for your response katie. Im glad that it isnt just mine.
Im so worried about her becoming dehyrated or getting a calcium defficiency though

katieandiggy said:
Yep! I’m experiencing exactly the same thing with mine. He did the same thing last year too. I’m also part of another uk tortoise group and there are so many people on there with the same issue.
I just ordered a worm count to rule out any parasites but I suspect it is the weather.

Bexstar · Jun 17, 2019

er9m said:
Although i live in different region, where it is hot, but mine sleeps too.

Is your tort eating like normal though?

katieandiggy · Jun 17, 2019

Bexstar said:
Is your tort eating like normal though?

Mine is barely eating, maybe a mouthful or 2. He hasn’t eaten anything for 2 days though. I make sure he gets soaked everyday for hydration.

er9m · Jun 18, 2019

No, mine is barely eating too. Except cucumber. Everything else is very hard to make him eating. He just wants to sleep.

Oxalis · Jun 18, 2019

katieandiggy said:
We are having a colder than normal start to the year. Most indoor tortoises probably have only been able to go out a couple of days so far this year. It’s wet and dreary. [emoji17] I know the torts sense that.

I think this is what's going on with my Russian now too. He was very active in the last few days with no noticeable issues, but suddenly he's been very sluggish and not eating (today). We've had a very wet spring with some cooler-than-usual days for June, so I am hoping he's acting odd because of the weather. While I'm not in the UK, someone mentioned to me that we've received as much rain as the UK generally does for spring. I am a bit concerned that he ate something weird or is somehow not feeling well. I soaked him this morning and he pooped a good amount, but then went back to sleep. Maybe I will try Mazuri later as he usually has a hard time turning it down.

And yes, all of the temps are normal.

Shuler24 · Jun 18, 2019

Yes this week Sheldon has slowed down, weather dropped in temp and it has been raining. (No change in enclosure temps, because I have been going bonkers with the temp gun to make sure) Our other reptiles also get weird when it rains mostly, like they can sense the the pressure? Today was pretty nice and he started to get more active, so I chalked it up to the rain, since that’s my experience from other reptiles? But I’m glad to read I might not have the only moody tort.

lymcBoris · Jun 20, 2019

katieandiggy said:
Yep! I’m experiencing exactly the same thing with mine. He did the same thing last year too. I’m also part of another uk tortoise group and there are so many people on there with the same issue.
I just ordered a worm count to rule out any parasites but I suspect it is the weather.

Oxalis · Jun 26, 2019

Shuler24 said:
Yes this week Sheldon has slowed down, weather dropped in temp and it has been raining. (No change in enclosure temps, because I have been going bonkers with the temp gun to make sure) Our other reptiles also get weird when it rains mostly, like they can sense the the pressure? Today was pretty nice and he started to get more active, so I chalked it up to the rain, since that’s my experience from other reptiles? But I’m glad to read I might not have the only moody tort.

Now that we're in a bit of a heat wave, I'm really missing those lower temps!!

Shuler24 · Jun 26, 2019

Oxalis said:
Now that we're in a bit of a heat wave, I'm really missing those lower temps!!

Haha, yeah active now to say the least...and eating like a horse.

Bexstar · Jun 27, 2019

Shuler24 said:
Haha, yeah active now to say the least...and eating like a horse.

Thats good to hear. Unfortunately its still pretty rainy here so my tort still isnt eating well..few mouthfuls a day. All she wants to do really is run around the house like a mad thing or hide in her bedroom. She does not want to go under her heat and uv lamp at all

Bexstar · Jun 27, 2019

katieandiggy said:
Mine is barely eating, maybe a mouthful or 2. He hasn’t eaten anything for 2 days though. I make sure he gets soaked everyday for hydration.

Yes i soak mine everyday, she certainly doesnt look dehydrated but isnt weeing very much. She is still only eating a few mouthfuls a day. All she wants to do is either come out of her table and run around like a mad thing or hide away from her lights.

AliG · Jun 28, 2019

I am having the same problem with my little boy, he is ok once he has warmed up, he will have a good feed of all foraged foods and then goes back to bed! Due to our tiny little heatwave (all of 2 days so far) I have put him in his outside run to get some natural vitamin d and when i come home from work .... he hasn't even come out of his house to enjoy the weather! strange creatures.... hopefully 29 degrees tomorrow will entice some natural behaviour :0)

Bexstar · Jul 9, 2019

Update- took my tort to the vets today, she has x-rayed her and she has a possible blockage so she is having to have a feeding tube fitted. They are hoping it will then unblock but could take up to 6 weeks and hundreds of pounds to treat. Has anyone had this issue with their tortoise before?

Shuler24 · Jul 9, 2019

Bexstar said:
Update- took my tort to the vets today, she has x-rayed her and she has a possible blockage so she is having to have a feeding tube fitted. They are hoping it will then unblock but could take up to 6 weeks and hundreds of pounds to treat. Has anyone had this issue with their tortoise before?

Oh no, I hope she gets better soon!

Unusual behaviour (sleeping a lot)

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