No poop or pee?

BoredPotato

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I got my tortoise that I named Potato 4 days ago (Testudo Hermanni Boetgerri), he is born late august (20s) and now is around 6 months old if my math is correct.

So, I never saw him poop or pee 4 whole days. He does walk normally, eat normally. Because weeds don't grow yet I feed him grocery store bought greens like Endive as main staple plus watercress as side dish. Also, the temperature in the enclosure in day time is mostly 27 - 28 degrees while his basking spot is over 30 degrees celcius. Humidity level is hovering around 50 - 60 (At least, is what my hygrometer says - he has a humid hide)

There is a water dish inside his enclosure and I soak him daily with warm water for 20 - 30 minutes.

I did change his bedding a day ago because it was too big for him to walk on so maybe I missed any poop or pee but I was pretty observant days before and I still didn't see really anything brown-ish with decomposed food or anything. They also leave something called urates right? I did also look for those but I really didn't see anything. I know that their color can vary so I didn't really look specifically for white but no luck.

His UVB is 12% at a height of 35 - 40 cm above his temporary enclosure.

Well, there are some darker spots in the enclosure but I am not sure if it's because me spraying the enclosure with water or his pee. But I really don't see any poop anywhere.

I don't know really what the cause is. I ordered some zoo med grassland pellets and it will arrive 2 march or smth so I can provide him more fiber.

(I did receive info from my breeder that it was a week and a half that he was out of brumation/hibernation, if this is important)
 

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Sarah2020

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Hello and welcome . Are you soaking your tortoise? That normally gets the movements going and you will get white liquid and poop. If your not soaking try to schedule daily or 3 a week 35 Dec C shallow water for 30 min. I have 2 washing up bowls and move over when the water is messy . Great way to get to know your tortoise, hydrate and extract the waste.
 

harrythetortoise

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I got my tortoise that I named Potato 4 days ago (Testudo Hermanni Boetgerri), he is born late august (20s) and now is around 6 months old if my math is correct.

So, I never saw him poop or pee 4 whole days. He does walk normally, eat normally. Because weeds don't grow yet I feed him grocery store bought greens like Endive as main staple plus watercress as side dish. Also, the temperature in the enclosure in day time is mostly 27 - 28 degrees while his basking spot is over 30 degrees celcius. Humidity level is hovering around 50 - 60 (At least, is what my hygrometer says - he has a humid hide)

There is a water dish inside his enclosure and I soak him daily with warm water for 20 - 30 minutes.

I did change his bedding a day ago because it was too big for him to walk on so maybe I missed any poop or pee but I was pretty observant days before and I still didn't see really anything brown-ish with decomposed food or anything. They also leave something called urates right? I did also look for those but I really didn't see anything. I know that their color can vary so I didn't really look specifically for white but no luck.

His UVB is 12% at a height of 35 - 40 cm above his temporary enclosure.

Well, there are some darker spots in the enclosure but I am not sure if it's because me spraying the enclosure with water or his pee. But I really don't see any poop anywhere.

I don't know really what the cause is. I ordered some zoo med grassland pellets and it will arrive 2 march or smth so I can provide him more fiber.

(I did receive info from my breeder that it was a week and a half that he was out of brumation/hibernation, if this is important)
If you just got your tortoise and it has only been 4 days, I wouldn't be too worried. Once he is more adjusted to the new environment, he will do regular bowel movements. Do morning warm soaks daily for about 30 minutes and eventually you will see him go in the water - it helps with metabolism and gut motility when he does a little exercise).
 
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BoredPotato

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If you just got your tortoise and it has only been 4 days, I wouldn't be too worried. Once he is more adjusted to the new environment, he will do regular bowel movements normally. Do morning warm soaks daily for about 30 minutes and eventually you will see they go in the water.

Maybe you're right, I only had him 4 days ago, though I did order some zoo med grassland pellets but how much should I feed him? 1 pellet for a day and then 2 times a week? I heard/read something like that
 

BoredPotato

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Joined
Dec 17, 2020
Messages
40
Location (City and/or State)
Netherlands
Hello and welcome . Are you soaking your tortoise? That normally gets the movements going and you will get white liquid and poop. If your not soaking try to schedule daily or 3 a week 35 Dec C shallow water for 30 min. I have 2 washing up bowls and move over when the water is messy . Great way to get to know your tortoise, hydrate and extract the waste.

I just saw him pee at/on his basking spot so it probably vaporised/dried up when I always check on him. As for poop, idk.
 

harrythetortoise

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Maybe you're right, I only had him 4 days ago, though I did order some zoo med grassland pellets but how much should I feed him? 1 pellet for a day and then 2 times a week? I heard/read something like that
2X/week is fine. Take 1 pellet and soak it in a little bit of water so it becomes soft, and mix it with the day's greens. It took my tortoise a couple weeks before he really began to eat it (or at least not mind it mixed with the greens) so if he doesn't eat it at first, don't feel discouraged!
 
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KarenSoCal

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Glad you saw him pee! As for the poop, there is one more possibility...he may be eating it. It's not super likely, but it's possible.

Older torts eat poop all the time, both others' and their own. From what I understand, there are a couple reasons why.

First, there is still some nutrition in it. They eat it, get the nutrition, and then I don't think there's much in it after 2 trips through the GI tract.

Second, they eat others' to rejuvenate the good bacteria in their gut. Kind of like when we take probiotics and eat yogurt with "live cultures".

And this isn't eating, but torts will poop in their burrows to increase humidity. (And maybe a late night snack?) ?

I know...TMI!
 

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