New user from Pune, India (Indian Star tortoise)

[Ashis]

Hi everyone! My name is Ashis, and I just joined tortoise forum. I got myself a indian star tortorise 4 days back.

A little about me: I am 36 years old, I live in Pune, India. Love running.

Little about the little guy : It earlier was with a guy who sold it to me as he was shifting to another city. My tortoise is probably 3 inches long so i guess he may be less than a year old. All his life he has eaten only cucumber and tomato and lived in a glass bowl where you would probably keep a goldfish. So when he walks he drags both his back feet.

I read through a lot of blogs on net and some posts on this forum and now i put him in a warm water (upto his leg level) in morning for 20 mins. I have been keeping a lot of fresh hibiscus leaves in his 1 ft x 1 ft box since last 2 days but he is not eating them at all. He gets to bask in sunlight indoors( glass doors in dining area as there are a few eagles near by) for an hour or so and keeps on roaming around the house till he finds a cosy area to rest for some time. I am getting a bit worried about him not eating anything for 2 days now.

Does anyone from pune has any recommendation for a good vetenarian where i can get him general check up?

By the way, my tortoise name is Ratanlal.

Thanks
Ashis

[ Note : Picture in next post)

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome to the Forum, Ashis!

You might try cutting up cucumber or tomato into very small,mushy pieces and mixing it all over the hibiscus leaves so the leaves smell like cucumber and tomato. Also, we have a couple of threads especially for those tortoise keepers living in India and on there they talk about the kinds of tortoise foods you can buy in India.

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/calling-on-indian-star-owners-residing-in-india.68875/

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...-star-owners-in-india-from-an-amateur.118815/

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hello Ashis

 

[Speedy-1]

Hi and welcome Ashis !

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hello, Ashis, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum to you and poor little Ratanlal.
It is not unusual for a tortoise to not eat for a few days when settling in to a new home, so be patient, he is currently getting accustomed to his new territory and figuring out if you are going to eat him or not.
Offer a variety of tasty foods and he'll eat eventually if your set up is right.
Try http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/site/tortoise_home_1.asp
to see what is safe for him to eat.
Also look at http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
for some good tips and think about how you are going to create a large, happy home for him!

 

[TerrapinStation]

Hello and welcome. I am sure your tortoise is now much better off with you. Keep researching and learning and I am sure the tort will start showing improvement.

 

[AnimalLady]

Hello and welcome!

~Patiently waiting for pictures

 

[Ashis]

Thank you all.
My tortoise has started eating hibiscus leaves now. Although it eats a little normally, yesterday it ate 3 whole little leaves and today it ate a small hibiscus flower completely. A few days back i had given it a strawberry as treat and it gobbled it up completely. I am planning to introduce it to coriander and fenugreek leaves from tomorrow. I keep it in warmish water for 20 minutes every day in morning and in the afternoon it is left out inside the house where sunlight come through big glass doors for 3-4 hours.
Currently i am keeping it in a big 30L cardboard box in my bedroom and am planning to get a 60L plastic box and convert that into it's cozy little home.