Angry._.potato
New Member
Hello! I am new here, but I wanted your guys' opinion on my African Sulcata tortoise. So apparently I discovered that whenever my tortoise breathes, his throat gets big. Like a frog, but everything sucks back in once he's done inhaling. Is this normal? I got him from a sketchy reptile store; however, the reviews seemed pleasing and convincing. I received him on April 20th, 2020, and on that same day, the lady told me he was six months old. The temperature for the day is 95°-100° (UVA/UVB side; in the middle of the enclosure), and the far-right and left is between 85°-90°. The diet is romaine lettuce, green lettuce, carrots (occasional), broccoli (rarely...small amounts), strawberry (for treats) only gave them strawberry twice out of the weeks I've had them. I provide them a cuddle fishbone, calcium powder (every other day), liquid calcium for water (rarely). I am aware that grass is a large staple of their diets, but they hate it; you name it...I sprinkled it, let them try it, and even washed their grass to make it enticing, etc.. The grass I have has no chemicals. It's grown from my backyard. Their substrate was originally coconut fiber, but that was a terrible choice because the stringy pieces...I'm assuming it's coconut shaving...were in their food bowl. So I immediately changed it to loose coconut fiber...kind of looks like soil and I got it from Petsmart. His stool is firm and perfect; he is very active here and there (seem to only be awake early in the morning or late at night and in the middle of the day; active for like 5-6 hours out of the whole day), he eats A LOT, no runny nose, no sneezing, no coughing. no mouth breathing. He seems okay, but why does his throat bulge up like a frog (exaggerated example, but that is the best I got) and sucks back in when he breaths? I did a lot of research, and I keep thinking about bacterial infections and respiratory infections, but he seems fair. I am taking him to a vet this Saturday, but I want to make sure he isn't dying or anything. I feel like a paranoid mom, but I want to make sure. Plus...when I put my finger under his throat it feels like a little ball... (Sometimes it stay there...the ball...and sometimes his throat looks flat.) I can post more pictures. Please ask what type of photo I should take.