I was given four baby Desert Tortoises the first week of January. They have been eating like little pigs and growing. I have been raising them basically like I do my Russian hatchlings. They were all fine when I left for work on Friday at 2:00 p.m. When I got home at around midnight I went in to check on them like I always do. One of them was outside the hide (he likes to sleep outside the hide under the heat emitter). It looked liked he was awake, standing up, looking up at me. He did not move as I continued to talk to him. I got a funny feeling and I unzipped the plastic and reached in and picked him up. I could tell that he was dead. He was not stiff at all, he just looked liked he was awake and in a pose like he was walking around.
I am heartbroken. I have no idea why he would die, as he showed no signs of being sick at all since I got him. He ate good today and was active.
I gave them some Hibiscus leaves for the first time before I left for work today. I am wondering if he could have possibly choked on them, as they are tougher and thicker than the weeds and other food that I have been giving them.
If he had been showing signs of being ill I could understand what happened, but for him to die while I was at work for no apparent reason makes it so much worse.
I am heartbroken. I have no idea why he would die, as he showed no signs of being sick at all since I got him. He ate good today and was active.
I gave them some Hibiscus leaves for the first time before I left for work today. I am wondering if he could have possibly choked on them, as they are tougher and thicker than the weeds and other food that I have been giving them.
If he had been showing signs of being ill I could understand what happened, but for him to die while I was at work for no apparent reason makes it so much worse.