Health Question

[koiboydavid]

Hello to all,

New to this forum and I have a few questions. First, I have two Sulcata hatchlings born on different dates and they arent related. One is slightly larger and I have had it for about a month longer than the other one. That larger one is continuosly trying to climb the sides of its ZooMed Tortoise House and it will eventually flip over and be stuck in that position until I rescue it. Today, I notice that the tortoise is not opening its eyes much at all. Not nearly as wide open and "healthy" looking as the other Sulcata.

Thoughts as to what may be wrong?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Maggie Cummings]

There is a lot that can be wrong. So you need to tell us exactly how you keep your babies. Lights, temps, substrate, the whole thing. I am making a guess now that they aren't warm enough. I'll guarantee that he is getting sick and we need to stop it now, before it gets worse. Pictures are good too. If you post pictures for us we can help you too...

 

[koiboydavid]

They are kept together in a Zoo Med Tortoise House on potting soil (no fertilizer in it) with a little play sand and timothy/alfalfa hay thrown on top in places. I have one incadescent fixture with a 40 watt bulb that gets the basking site to around 87 and then a ReptiSun 10 strip light positioned near the front of the enclosure. Temp in their house is 73 right now with the lights out. I feed mostly the hay mixture I bought from Tractor Supply Company and the Zoo Med Grassland Tortoise Food. Every other day or so I will give them some fresh escarole or collards of some hibiscus leaves. I try to give them a brief soak every 3-4 days.

Thoughts?

 

[Yvonne G]

You don't have a spot in the enclosure where they can get their body temp up high enough to digest their food. You need a warm end that is upwards of 80 degrees, with 95 or so directly under the light, and a room temperature end, where it would be in the 70's.

Also, you should be offering more fresh greens. Here's a link to a nice variety:

http://tortoiseforum.org/thread-5823.html

Yvonne

 

[Maggie Cummings]

My first thought is that he isn't warm enough. Yet, 87 on or close to your basking spot really isn't all that cold. I like the basking spot to be 90 to 95 degrees. I don't think you are soaking them enough. I soak my babies every other day. I think the one is dehydrated. I also think they aren't getting enough greens. I don't use the Grassland pellets. I think you need to feed more greens, I know people push on getting babies to eat hay but that's not that necessary just yet. So I think 3 things. 1. He's not warm enough consistently. 2. He's dehydrated, I would be soaking him every day or at least every other day. We keep them under hot lights basically having them on a slow cook system, so we need to keep them well hydrated. 3. I would feed him more greens. You can get a box of Spring Mix and you can add some good dark leafy weeds and some kale, collard, dandelions, endive, add stuff like that and that's what I would do for him daily and I'll bet he turns right around and gets more active and eats better...Please keep me posted on his progress.

 

[reptylefreek]

Has the one ever been on his back all day? Like you came home after a long day at work and saw him on his back and he appeared to be sleeping? Its not good at all that he flips over. He might be trying to climb the other one. You might have to seperate for now.

 

[koiboydavid]

Thank you very much for all of the information. When it comes to feeding, there seems to be a lot of conflicting information. So you guys offer fresh greens every day and dont get the pyramiding that everyone talks about and you see way too often?

I have increased the wattage on the basking bulb and will be watching the temps this morning. I will soak every day over the next several days. I pulled some collards and kale out of the garden this morning and have offered it to them.

How often do you guys supplement and exactly what are you using? Calcium w/ d3? without d3? with phosphorous or without?

I have come home after being out and seen the turtle laying on its back. Happens almost daily. He tries to climb up the corners of the enclosure and flips over. Has nothing to do with the other tortoise.

Thanks again!

 

[Yvonne G]

There are several causes for pyramiding, and too much food is only a small portion. The main cause is too-dry conditions. The need to have a substrate that you can moisten. This helps them grow smooth carapaces.

Yvonne

 

[Laura]

re design your enclosure to prevent him from flipping over. Change it, pu a large object that he cant climb on in the corners or block him from going there. definately needs a bigger variety of fresh greens and more water.
keep us informed.

 

[koiboydavid]

Well, no flipping over today! Opened his eyes a little more during soaking. Directly under the basking bulb is now 105. Do I have to now go down in wattage or will the tortoise just back off to where they are comfortable?

Thanks!

 

[tortoisenerd]

Do you have a stand to lower and raise the bulb? This is ideal as then when the room temperature changes you can change the enclosure temperature gradient. I think 105 is a tad high, but as long as there are cooler spots and not much of the area is 105, and it is hatchlings not adult torts (the temperature is higher at the top of their shell than at the ground), then this may be ok.