How to get my sulcata tort to eat more

[ctapio1230]

I’ve have my sulcata tortoise Tortuga for 9 months and when I got him he was a hatchling. He weighed 26 grams. He doesn’t seem to eat very much. They gave us mazuri pellets that I soak and feed him every day and that’s like the only thing he really wants to eat. I have been feeding him grass and leaves from my garden some fruit every once and a while but he doesn’t like it. Is there anything I can do to get him to eat more. He only weighs 41 grams now which seems kinda small to me but I’m not sure. I also took him to the vet 3 months ago and got a deworming treatment. The 1st image is him now and the 2nd was when we got him

 

[Bee62]

He is 9 months old ? He is way to small for this age.
Do you soak your tortoise daily ? How are the temps and the humidity in the enclosure ? Can you show us some pics ?
How was the baby started from the breeder ? In humid conditions or dry ?

 

[Yvonne G]

In my years of tortoise-keeping, one thing I learned about growth is water. Water for drinking, water for daily soaking and water in the air for warm humidity! This makes a whole lot of difference in their growth.

To get him eating weeds and grasses, take the scissors and cut the greens up into tiny bite-sized pieces then mix it thoroughly into the mushy Mazuri.

 

[ctapio1230]

He is 9 months old ? He is way to small for this age.
Do you soak your tortoise daily ? How are the temps and the humidity in the enclosure ? Can you show us some pics ?
How was the baby started from the breeder ? In humid conditions or dry ?

He was dry but I soak him every day and the temps 82 hot spot 95 and humidity between 60-80. I feed him every day he just doesn’t eat much

 

[ctapio1230]

Dry started I mean. I didn’t know until after I got him

 

[ctapio1230]

More pictures I just took

 

[Bee62]

He was dry but I soak him every day and the temps 82 hot spot 95 and humidity between 60-80. I feed him every day he just doesn’t eat much

How are your night temps ? Do you have a che ? The substrate of the enclosure looks dry. It is like @Yvonne G said: The key for good thriving is water and humidity. But it seemed to me that the damage to your little tort was done before you got him. From the breeder who started him dry. Dry started hatchlings often have kidney and liver problems.
The best you can do for your baby tort are long daily soaks and very humid conditions with warm night temps.
Try to feed him different fresh greens and when he likes romain lettuce, feed it. Belgium endive and lambs lettuce are grocery food that tortoises love too. Try all. Feed all greens very wet. Your baby tort needs water in his system, even with the food you offer.

 

[ctapio1230]

I do have a Che and night temps go no lower then 80 except one time when it was 78 but I have been checking every night multiple times and it hasn’t happened again

 

[Bee62]

I do have a Che and night temps go no lower then 80 except one time when it was 78 but I have been checking every night multiple times and it hasn’t happened again

That is good. Have you tried if he wants to eat romain lettuce or belgium endive or lambs lettuce ? Tortoises are often like children. They like to eat things that should only be a rare treat, but to get a tortoise to eat more you can offer these treats daily ( with the exception of fruits. No fruits please )

 

[Ben02]

How does his shell feel? Does it feel pliable like a butter lid, or spongy?

Have you noticed it get softer?

Some time outside when it’s warm can really help, getting your tortoise moving a lot can be a great help

 

[Lyn W]

Have you seen the caresheet for sulies?
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

 

[ctapio1230]

That is good. Have you tried if he wants to eat romain lettuce or belgium endive or lambs lettuce ? Tortoises are often like children. They like to eat things that should only be a rare treat, but to get a tortoise to eat more you can offer these treats daily ( with the exception of fruits. No fruits please )

Ok I’m willing to try! I did just try micro greens and I’m hoping he will like those

 

[Bee62]

Ok I’m willing to try! I did just try micro greens and I’m hoping he will like those

What are micro greens ?

 

[ctapio1230]

So it’s a new organic thing and you plant a lot of seeds like lettuce or pea seed and when it starts to sprout and gets about 1-2 inches tall you cut it off and it’s full of nutrition

 

[ctapio1230]

How does his shell feel? Does it feel pliable like a butter lid, or spongy?

Have you noticed it get softer?

Some time outside when it’s warm can really help, getting your tortoise moving a lot can be a great help

I have been checking his shell and it’s hard and no spongy spots at all

 

[Bee62]

So it’s a new organic thing and you plant a lot of seeds like lettuce or pea seed and when it starts to sprout and gets about 1-2 inches tall you cut it off and it’s full of nutrition

Sounds good. My tortoises love the soft and small greens of sprouting wheat ( seeds ).

 

[TammyJ]

What substrate is he living on? Can we see some pics of his enclosure?

 

[ctapio1230]

It’s peat moss and there’s one picture at the top

 

[ctapio1230]

More pictures

 

[Bee62]

Are there news with your baby ?
One thing I saw on your last pics: I would put away the water dish you have and use another flat terracotta dish. It is easier for a little tort to climb into the terracotta dish.