Won't come out of his shell.

Mistydawn18

New Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2021
Messages
5
Location (City and/or State)
College Station texas
So we have a sulcata tortoise ? and we've had him for almost a year. He's usually pretty chill and likes to be held and pet. Yesterday the ceiling collapsed in our apartment near his habitat, and now he won't come out of his shell. Is he just scared or should I be more worried?? No big pieces of ceiling landed in his hous, just some bits of insulation which I've already completely cleaned out his habitat and replaced the flooring. His name's Tater Tot, and he's my 4 y/o daughters favorite thing in the world.

Snapchat-399992325.jpg
 
Last edited:

queen koopa

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2018
Messages
754
Location (City and/or State)
Las Vegas Nevada
Most likely scared him half to death. They don’t like changes or big loud events.
On another note, your tortoise looks extremely dry and is pyramiding. Are you working on this? I can post some links to care guides if you need.
 

queen koopa

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2018
Messages
754
Location (City and/or State)
Las Vegas Nevada

A lot to read there but it’s all great. In short these tortoise need to be kept in closed chambers, high humidity, and minimum 82 degrees F for the first years of their lives. As well as soaked in warm water. Improper diets add to dehydration as well...
 

KarenSoCal

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jul 8, 2017
Messages
5,749
Location (City and/or State)
Low desert 50 mi SE of Palm Springs CA
Hello! Welcome to TFO!

In addition to the dryness, it looks like his eyes are closed. It could just be the angle of the camera, though.

Has he been having any difficulty with his eyes? Like keeping them closed, or puffiness, or rubbing them?
 

Mistydawn18

New Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2021
Messages
5
Location (City and/or State)
College Station texas
We soak him typically every other day, and his eyes have been closed/mostly closed since the accident. But before that we've had no problems with him. He usually eats and drink well.
 

KarenSoCal

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jul 8, 2017
Messages
5,749
Location (City and/or State)
Low desert 50 mi SE of Palm Springs CA
I think he possibly got some insulation in his eyes.

Do you have a feed and tack store near you? If you do, maybe call and find out if they carry Vetericyn drops for eyes. Make sure it's for eyes, not the one for ears or cuts/scrapes. This is the gel. This or drops are both good. It looks like this...
20210102_161346.jpg

Put a drop or two in each eye a couple times per day. It's OK if you use more at the beginning...a good flushing helps wash any foreign material out of his eyes.

If you can't find these drops, go to Walmart and look in the contact lens section of the pharmacy. You want saline solution, or drops that are just comforting. You don't want to take the red out or anything else. You just want something to rinse his eyes.

If he opens them, try to get a really good look at them using a flashlight. You're looking for tiny fiberglass shards stuck in his eyes. If you see any, flush the eye, then look again. If it's still stuck, you can use a tweezers, with a steady hand, and pull it out. Then rinse again.
 

TeamZissou

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2020
Messages
1,048
Location (City and/or State)
Albuquerque, NM
Wow. what a bummer. Sorry for your loss.

If/when you get another one, be sure to read and implement the info in the care sheet in post #4 before bringing it home. If setup properly with proper temps and humidity, a year old sulcata will weigh several pounds. Not sure where you got this one, but buying one from a reputable breeder is also key. There are several breeders here on the forum that can provide a baby that has been started properly and most likely cheaper than a pet store.
 

Mistydawn18

New Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2021
Messages
5
Location (City and/or State)
College Station texas
We did all the research, and did everything in those articles and bought from a good breeder, it was just a terrible accident that the ceiling of my apartment collapsed into his habitat due to the negligence of the complex.
 

Ink

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jun 10, 2016
Messages
2,455
Location (City and/or State)
Virginia
I am so sorry for your loss.
 

Mrs.Jennifer

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jul 22, 2020
Messages
673
Location (City and/or State)
Norwich CT
Unfortunately poor tater tot has passed away, and we're heart broken.
I’m so sorry that you lost your beloved Tater Tot. It was a tragic situation. Be kind to yourself in your grief. I am holding you on my heart...
 

New Posts

Top