Help please. (not eating)

[Kaylin99]

I got my russian tortoise this week, one year old approx. He’s been hiding quite a bit which I guessed was because he was getting used to his environment and he was eating fine. I have been giving him daily soaks to keep him hydrated. He would usually eat when I put him in front of food,wander round a bit then go back to burrow. He has a makeshift hide that I put in his enclosure but he doesn’t really use it. After a bath he likes to sit under the basking spot for a bit then go back to bed.

Today however, I put the light on at 8am and he stayed put in the cool end. He eventually turned around but didn’t come out and now he’s isn’t moving from wherever I put him. I have put fresh water and food out in his enclosure but he hasn’t even looked at it yet.

Is something wrong with him?

I have been feeding him mixed leaves from a supermarket, fresh home grown geraniums, and a pellet of tortoise food moistened and made into mash but he doesn’t seems to like the last one.

His temp under the basking lamp is 35c and in the cool end about 20c. It’s also a uvb 50degrees angle bulb.

Please let me know what I am doing wrong?

 

[KarenSoCal]

Hello, and welcome to the forum! I'm sorry your tortoise is worrying you.

Could you post pictures of your enclosure? Also pictures of your tortoise, one from above him, and one from below him.

Where did you get him?

While he's not feeling well, try bumping those temps a bit to 37 and 25.

Hopefully he is still adjusting to his new home.

This is our care sheet for Russians. Read it over and compare what it says to what you're doing. Something might pop out at you. Either way, come back with questions. And someone else will come along shortly and offer more ideas.

 

[Kaylin99]

He seems to have perked up a bit now, has eaten some and drank some water


This is his makeshift home for now. I plan on converting a 6ft bookshelf soon to make a bigger better home. I’ll also put more soil in once it arrives so it can be moister.

I know they’re tortoises and everything but how active should they actually be?

Here’s a closer picture of sheldon, I’ll post better ones soon.


I am waiting for proper food and water bowls and a proper hide for him too. Bought him from a pet shop who specialises in them.

Happy birthday and thanks

 

[KarenSoCal]

Thanks for the birthday wishes.

I'm glad he's perking up a bit!

I never posted the link for the care sheet! Here it is!

Russian Tortoise Care Sheet

Russian tortoises have great personalities, are very hardy, tolerate a wide variety of enclosure parameters, stay small, and are generally a good "starter" tortoise in my opinion. Here is how I like to set them up: Indoor Enclosure type and size: Most people want to know the minimum size...

tortoiseforum.org