ellie blumenthal
Member
Hi all! I have a russian, bought in a pet store about? 3 months ago. Pretty sure it is a male, and likely over 3 years old, born in captivity. He ( pretty sure a he) was active and ate well, though only romaine lettuce. refused kale and and beet tops. I had him in a large pen outside. Then I read that even occasional subfreezing night temperatures ( we are in central Alabama) may kill a horsfield, so I moved him inside in to a 55-gallon tank. He was fine at first, eating, climbing, pooping in his water basin. then a couple of weeks ago he got into his turtle cave and does not come out. Several times I took him out and soaked him in warm water. Then put him next to food. He just sits there then leaves and goes for his cave again. I am wondering - is he trying to hibernate, or.. die?? He looks healthy when I pull him out to soak, just won't eat.
I am very concerned. Should I have him checked out by a vet? Should I get him other food - romaine lettuce is no longer available due to E. Coli scare, Mixed greens, wheat grass, beet greens - he did not eat either, and when there was still romaine available, he ignored that, too.
When sitting in his cave he digs into the reptile chips at night, and sleeps, but during hte day he sits in there looking quite awake but not moving.
His tank is next to a glass wall to outside. He has a basking lamp. Temperature is about 58F at night, high 60s l or low 70s during the day.
Right now I soaked him again for 20 minutes in luke-warm water, took him out and put him in front of food. And he is not eating... But he did turn around and went under the lamp.
Please help...
Thank you...
I am very concerned. Should I have him checked out by a vet? Should I get him other food - romaine lettuce is no longer available due to E. Coli scare, Mixed greens, wheat grass, beet greens - he did not eat either, and when there was still romaine available, he ignored that, too.
When sitting in his cave he digs into the reptile chips at night, and sleeps, but during hte day he sits in there looking quite awake but not moving.
His tank is next to a glass wall to outside. He has a basking lamp. Temperature is about 58F at night, high 60s l or low 70s during the day.
Right now I soaked him again for 20 minutes in luke-warm water, took him out and put him in front of food. And he is not eating... But he did turn around and went under the lamp.
Please help...
Thank you...