Charlie Wertheimer
New Member
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2014
- Messages
- 1
I own a 12 year old female Radiated tortoise. She lives with 2 males, one 6 years of age and another 12 years old. She came from the same family that the 12 year old male came from. I live in CA near Berkeley. It has been in the high 80's here for some time. During daytime I keep them outside in a penned grass area, about 15x12 feet square. The area has a fair amount of shade as there is a large maple tree in the middle. There are low hedges that surround the perimeter. I keep them in 4x5 bins at night with ceramic heat discs and uva/uvb 100 watt bulbs during the morning hours before I bring them outside and for a short time after bringing them in, in the evenings. I house the small male and the female together in the bin and the older male separately. The large one seems to be attracted to her amorously I think. The small male does not exhibit this behavior.
The female has been very healthy and active, has eaten well and has co-habituated well with the males. Their diet consists of greens, occasional apple and strawberry and Mazuri once every two weeks. I use 2 kinds of calcium as well. I always have fresh water for them and mist their shell once or twice daily. About 3 weeks ago, she started to separate herself from the males. She is not eating very much. She spends most of her time under the hedge and I think sleeps. This behavior continues. I am concerned and am wondering if she is in heat, pregnant or maybe ill. I have an excellent vet I have taken her to for physicals. I will talk to the vet this coming week but wanted thoughts from you. Thanks!
The female has been very healthy and active, has eaten well and has co-habituated well with the males. Their diet consists of greens, occasional apple and strawberry and Mazuri once every two weeks. I use 2 kinds of calcium as well. I always have fresh water for them and mist their shell once or twice daily. About 3 weeks ago, she started to separate herself from the males. She is not eating very much. She spends most of her time under the hedge and I think sleeps. This behavior continues. I am concerned and am wondering if she is in heat, pregnant or maybe ill. I have an excellent vet I have taken her to for physicals. I will talk to the vet this coming week but wanted thoughts from you. Thanks!