Does Coaster seem dehydrated?
- Thread starter Kevboosh
- Start date
Kevboosh
Active Member
I have one of those sticker thermometers, a digital thermometer and a regular analog thermometer Ive been using to keep the temperatures steady at what I've learned to keep them at from you guys. Havent gotten a laser thermometer yet, would that be significantly more accurate? Have I been getting his temperatures wrong because of my thermometer choices?
The digital is the most accurate and the one you should go by.
The point and shoot temp guns are cheap and great to have, to tell all the temps in the different areas and even his shell.
His beak looks fine. I'm not sure I like the shape they (a vet Dremelled it?)did on it but it should be fine.
Be sure to soak and then feed. Feed him outside if he seems the happiest out there.
The point and shoot temp guns are cheap and great to have, to tell all the temps in the different areas and even his shell.
His beak looks fine. I'm not sure I like the shape they (a vet Dremelled it?)did on it but it should be fine.
Be sure to soak and then feed. Feed him outside if he seems the happiest out there.
Kevboosh
Active Member
I have no idea who dremelled it or even if they did. That's just how he was when I got him. I'm not sure if he's happy outside but he's the most active. All he seems interested in is running straight for the poisonous bushes or frantically trying to escape his kiddie pool. I'll get some chicken wire tomorrow to build a protective anti-bird dome over his house and just leave him in it most of the day I guess. Been over two weeks without him eating. Just the occasional sniff of cucumber. Can it really just be a readjustment tantrum?
Kevboosh
Active Member
Here's his setup. The black lamp is a 75 watt incandescent bulb and the silver ones are 100 watt ceramic heat emitters. Got to get him a table to be higher off the ground and some safe plants to surround him with. Going to get him a bigger water dish. I put some rocks in for him but he started avoiding the area I put them in completely. Yes, that's a lot of bad food. I'm watching him and will remove the watermelon and banana after he takes a couple bites, if he finally starts eating. I tried completely avoiding his room for a day, just taking tiny peaks every few hours and me not being there didnt change his behavior at all. He wakes up, basks then partially buries for the rest of the day.
Are you trying to feed more than cucumber? Soaking daily will keep him hydrated and always have a water dish available.
Try feeding ridicchio, red leaf lettuce, arugula those spring mix, those all seem to be loved by my Russian.
Try feeding ridicchio, red leaf lettuce, arugula those spring mix, those all seem to be loved by my Russian.
Kevboosh
Active Member
I've given spring mix, cucumber, radicchio, purple cabbage, collard greens, mustard greens, plantain, banana, watermelon, apple, red swiss chard, soaked mazuri pellets and cilantro.
What are the temps?
The area that is not considered basking should range from 75 to 80. Basking 95-100 closer to 95 the better. My Russian does not like it hot. He hides away when it's too hot out.
Also, where is the uvb light? Or is he outside at least 3 times a week? If so, then you don't need the uvb.
No fruit at all now. It's too high in sugars and may be why he is not eating what he should.
The area that is not considered basking should range from 75 to 80. Basking 95-100 closer to 95 the better. My Russian does not like it hot. He hides away when it's too hot out.
Also, where is the uvb light? Or is he outside at least 3 times a week? If so, then you don't need the uvb.
No fruit at all now. It's too high in sugars and may be why he is not eating what he should.
Kevboosh
Active Member
He's literally never eaten anything since I've gotten him, sugary or not. I'm just trying to make sure he WILL eat, then plan to immediately confiscate the sweets.
Kevboosh
Active Member
Making a temperature diagram. Will post it shortly
Kevboosh
Active Member
His poops he had the first days after I brought him home were full of green fibers so I know he wasnt being spoiled with sweets before I got him. Here's a diagram of his house with the temperature zones labeled
How long have you had him?
Get the plants for some coverage and see if that helps.
They can go a long time without food.
Keep him in one place, whether be outside or inside, but don't keep moving him.
Do not do any more fruit. If you want, try squeezing a little bit of strawberry juice onto some greens. But don't give the whole fruit. The juice isn't good for them either, but it will give the smell and red color without a lot of the fruit.
Get the plants for some coverage and see if that helps.
They can go a long time without food.
Keep him in one place, whether be outside or inside, but don't keep moving him.
Do not do any more fruit. If you want, try squeezing a little bit of strawberry juice onto some greens. But don't give the whole fruit. The juice isn't good for them either, but it will give the smell and red color without a lot of the fruit.
Kevboosh
Active Member
Just over 2 weeks.
Yeah, that's not very long yet.
Kevboosh
Active Member
I'm still afraid that I must be doing something wrong. When I gave him his incandescent basking bulb, there was a couple days of rapidly increased activity and exploration. Sucks that that stopped. If there's a problem, I need to fix it now instead of waiting until it IS time to worry about him not eating. Thanks for the help.
They do explore when things change and then they won't. The once over when something changes becomes more comfortable to them and they don't need to check things out again Everything seems fine and pretty normal for an adult Russian that changed homes
I like what Wellington said about some cover here and there. I even made a fake tree for Sapphire out of a plastic jar with rocks in it for weight and he loves it and uses it often. That's for his indoor enclosure. Also I use the wire counter top things for extra room on your kitchen counter. It's a cheap fix. Then put potted plants on top for weight. But it also gives them a bit of cover. He might be stressed because there's no place to hide unless he buries himself. I'll get a picture and show you what I mean.
Ok here's a picture. Every thing needs a spring cleaning but maybe some ideas for adding some cover so he doesn't feel so exposed. If you decide to use what I did as you can see in the picture the legs have to be right next to each other. Silly torts will become a wedgie if you leave a gap.
Kevboosh
Active Member
Ok here's a picture. Every thing needs a spring cleaning but maybe some ideas for adding some cover so he doesn't feel so exposed. If you decide to use what I did as you can see in the picture the legs have to be right next to each other. Silly torts will become a wedgie if you leave a gap.
Zip tied upright so he cant knock it over and the spider plant's pot is securely zip tied to it. My mom's been propogating spider plants since as long as I can remember so there's no doubt that it is chemical free. Will add more safe plants as I get them. Thanks for the idea! He immediately pulled his head out of the ground and started staring at it.
You could put card stock under the planter, that covers until you get more plants on top of it to make it more private.or even cardboard. I like those little things for small tortoises. I have square plates I managed to find for cheap that fit pretty nice.
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