Not eating

[ZEROPILOT]

I bought a RF tortoise Sunday that would only eat Mazuri and nothing else. As of today, tuesday, she won't touch that either. Any tricks?

 

[Tyanna]

Mix things up. Add some treats. But that's normal behavior in a new environment. Just keep trying different things until she decides she's ready to eat.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Man. Yesterday I put Mazuri on the side. Some pumpkin puree, some cactus fruit and both mulberry and hibiscus leaves and a nice red hibiscus flower. She took a nibble of the Mazuri and turned and fled. Twice. I sat her down in the yard to graze and she just watched me. Didn't graze. I've been reading other "wont eat threads" in the meanwhile. She is very light weight. I may be headed out to see the vet, though I hate spending money for nothing....if she begins to eat on her own. I'm gonna try some Diatomacious earth in the Mazuri. It's supposed to be anti parasitic. Maybe it wouldn't hurt?

 

[Tyanna]

Man. Yesterday I put Mazuri on the side. Some pumpkin puree, some cactus fruit and both mulberry and hibiscus leaves and a nice red hibiscus flower. She took a nibble of the Mazuri and turned and fled. Twice. I sat her down in the yard to graze and she just watched me. Didn't graze. I've been reading other "wont eat threads" in the meanwhile. She is very light weight. I may be headed out to see the vet, though I hate spending money for nothing....if she begins to eat on her own. I'm gonna try some Diatomacious earth in the Mazuri. It's supposed to be anti parasitic. Maybe it wouldn't hurt?

I wouldn't try anything in my opinion, as she's probably still settling down. It hasn't even been a week yet. But you're correct, it probably wouldn't hurt.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I tend to overthink....overworry,too.

 

[Tyanna]

I tend to overthink....overworry,too.

Don't we all. Just like we would for children.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I'm gonna throw out the DE matter/question out in a new thread and see if anyone has had luck with it. As a cure or as a preventative.

 

[Redstrike]

Sometimes new tortoises won't eat if you stand and watch them. I have four and one of them is extremely timid and shy. It's taken a couple years just to get him/her established. Provide the food and walk away. Leave it in there for the day and see if there are any changes. Be patient and provide lots of variety like others have said.

If the tortoise is really light weight, I would recommend soaking him/her for 20-30 minutes every couple days to ensure it's hydrated.

Are there any other tortoises in the enclosure with this one?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Today I placed a plate of garden greens, hibiscus, mulberry, I mean everything that I have growing! As I watched her nose through the pile, she selected some very small and soft hibiscus leaves. Quickly I put in more and she ate them also!! I'm so on relieved!!