Little bassy still not really eating

[BastionDad]

So our new tort Bastion is about 8 days home with us. He hid all yesterday, and hes eaten maybe 3 or 4 times, all sporadically. His temps range from 85 to about 80 on the cool side, with a CHE in a dome fixture, in a 40gallon tank, open top but with a custom covering we made. Im not sure whats wrong, we got him a t8 UVB tube and it seemed more ambient in there and he hid all day, and didnt eat. Now I have the spot bulb back in and im trying to warm it up in there again but...I mean is this normal? We've heard they are voracious eaters but he seems stressed or something.

 

[BastionDad]

Hes not eaten a good meal in about 3 days. We handle him once a day for soaks.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Greetings. Upload a few pix of the enclosure. From what I understand, RF like well hidden areas out of the bright light. It might just be too bright!

Plus, he’s brand new & still settling in. Scared that you might eat him.

 

[Avuwyy]

Tortoises can go off of their food when they are in a new environment, this is completely normal. They will also hide quite a bit when they first arrive home (Though if your tortoise is young, this could also extend for quite some time as hatchlings find safety in hiding).

Just make sure they’re getting their soaks, they can go without food for some time, but not without water. Soaks will exercise their muscles too.

 

[BastionDad]

Hes got a CHE and the T8 Fixture, 11 inches from the top is what we were originally running, we made the glass cover from Plexiglass to seal in humidity. It stays at about 77 to 87 pct humidity with 85 on the lamp side and it hoverse from 78-82 on the cool side. he gets a food portion the size of his shell every day but often doesnt eat it. we are on day 8 and hes eaten maybe one full meal, total over all the days.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Greetings. Good job at keeping the soaking tub sunken down into the substratre.

Take a look at this care sheet - https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/redfoot-tortoise-caresheet.172531/

Temps - Mid- upper 80's F is fine "in their hide".. low 80's F is ideal ambient temperature - there is NO "basking" area temp. difference!!!
Expect your hatchling to spend "most"of their time..IN their hide!
You may have to experiment with the temps.

Good luck. Give your little guy time to settle in and adjust to his new home.

 

[BastionDad]

Thanks! He seems for the most part pretty chill, I just get worried when he goes days without eating. Ill leave him be for a bit