No activity

[Teesh]

So usually my tort is happy healthy, eating playing basking...
But today he slept all day!!! He hasn't eaten I don't think. Im very worried.!!!!!


Teesh

 

[Tyanna]

What kind of tortoise? This time of the year with weather changes tortoises seem to be slowing down, he should be ok!

 

[Teesh]

But I have the lamps....


Teesh

 

[Teesh]

What kind of tortoise? This time of the year with weather changes tortoises seem to be slowing down, he should be ok!

Baby greek


Teesh

 

[Tyanna]

It doesn't matter. Tortoises still can tell seasons changing. I would recommend increasing how long you keep your lights on then. How many hours do you leave them on? What are your temps/humidity?

 

[Teesh]

It doesn't matter. Tortoises still can tell seasons changing. I would recommend increasing how long you keep your lights on then. How many hours do you leave them on? What are your temps/humidity?

About 12 hours and humidity about 50minimum


Teesh

 

[Tyanna]

I don't see a care sheet here for Greeks, but I've been told the care for them are similar to a Russian.

Please read this care sheet:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

The basking area should be 90 degrees, because they need a spot of at least 85 to digest food and then the cool side should be 70-80 degrees. I would say 70% humidity throughout the whole enclosure for a baby. I also think nigh time temps should not fall below 70 degrees.

If anything I am saying is wrong, I know someone more knowledgeable of Greeks will chime in.

I'm not sure who here knows Greeks well, but I'll tag @Yvonne G, @Tom

 

[Teesh]

I don't see a care sheet here for Greeks, but I've been told the care for them are similar to a Russian.

Please read this care sheet:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

The basking area should be 90 degrees, because they need a spot of at least 85 to digest food and then the cool side should be 70-80 degrees. I would say 70% humidity throughout the whole enclosure for a baby. I also think nigh time temps should not fall below 70 degrees.

If anything I am saying is wrong, I know someone more knowledgeable of Greeks will chime in.

Okay the basking is about 87degres
Thanks how to I increase humidity?


Teesh

 

[Tyanna]

What are you using for substrate? Do you have photos of your enclosure?

 

[Teesh]

What are you using for substrate? Do you have photos of your enclosure?

Coco coir yes I have pics


Teesh

 

[Teesh]

Coco coir yes I have pics


Teesh

Check does he look healthy


Teesh

 

[Tyanna]

Keep your substrate damp and mist daily. Not wet, just damp. I water mine like a would water plants, and then mix keeping the bottom layer more damp than the top. If your enclosure is closed, it will be easier to keep humidity over an open topped one.

 

[Teesh]

Keep your substrate damp and mist daily. Not wet, just damp. I water mine like a would water plants, and then mix keeping the bottom layer more damp than the top. If your enclosure is closed, it will be easier to keep humidity over an open topped one.

Ok


Teesh

 

[Tyanna]

@Jacqui, do you have more information on Greeks? I want to make sure my information is correct.

 

[Magilla504]

Try to increase your light time to 14 hours. Remember torts are not animals with extreme activity. They naturally do sleep a lot. So if your Greek is eating, pooping , getting soaked and looks healthy, than it's probably just the season . One of the super experienced Greek owners will let you know though. Everyone is great on here!
Take care,
Jason

 

[ascott]

GREEK TORTOISE
Testudo graeca

Overview
The Greek tortoise actually consists of several forms that occur throughout its wide range. Those that occur north of the Mediterranean Sea are more cold tolerant and usually hibernate when the weather dictates. Those varieties that occur in the Middle East and south of the Mediterranean are less cold tolerant and do not usually hibernate.

The southern forms of the Greek tortoise should be kept at a temperature of no less than 80 degrees Fahrenheit with a basking spot of at least 100 degrees. The northern forms will tolerate cooler temperatures but will tend to be inclined to hibernate if temperatures drop too low for too long. The recommended temperature range for the northern forms is 75 to 90 degrees.

The dietary requirements are pretty much the same for all form of Greek tortoises regardless of the region they come from in that they will eat dark leafy greens, fibrous fruits such as apples and pears. They will also take berries such as strawberries, blueberries and the like. The fruits and berries should be a small portion of their diet with the dark leafy greens making up the majority of their diet. Although the Greek tortoises are not known grazers they will consume grasses. Water should be provided at all times.

Just understand, that there are many variables when offering up a simple answer....please research a bit about the tortoise you have .....perhaps you post a pic of the top/bottom of the tort so that the folks here who are good at id'g the species will be able to offer you a bit more customized response/alternatives?

 

[ascott]

@HermanniChris

 

[Teesh]

@HermanniChris

Would you know?


Teesh

 

[HermanniChris]

There's no need to worry about the animal if it is deciding to sleep for a day. You need to take into account its overall behavior over the course of time. Just because the animal wants to sleep today doesn't mean you should slap a label on it that it's potentially sick. Some of my tortoises will go without eating for days at a time. I let them decide when they feel like eating again unless they are clearly showing me signs of true illness. Tortoises do sense change in season even when indoors under artificial lights and this varies with species and even subspecies. Why? because they have biological "clocks". They are not domesticated and never will be, they are wild, simply put. And also, no, Greek care is not the same as Russian care, it is rather just similar depending on the subspecies of Greek you have. Give the tortoise a chance. Don't sentence it to an early diagnosis just because he's sleepy today. Keep us posted and most of all, leave him be. These animals are surprisingly adaptive and can even overcome things on their own without our intervention.

 

[Tyanna]

I did write that the care is similar. Sorry if any of my information was incorrect, but I was just trying to improve the care he was giving since it did not seem proper to what's needing to be given, not an early diagnosis.