Sleeping and Urates

[TortoiseCharlie]

Hi, I have two little hermanns, and they're not very active. One likes to sleep and hide away all day, the other sometimes walks around more. I have a hot spot of about 32C and the colder side is around room temperature. Sometimes I have to pick them up and place them right in front of the food for them to bother eating. (Once I've done that they really chow down) Is this all okay? I've only had them just over a week so could they still be settling in? And they're only 1/2 years old and I know young ones like to hide more.

Also usually their urates are usually a soft creamy kind of texture, but today one of them was really runny and looked like milk. Does this just mean he's well hydrated? Or does he have a problem?

 

[Yvonne G]

The urates is just fine.

The other problem might (I say MIGHT) be related to having a pair. Two tortoises most times doesn't work out well. Tortoises are solitary and territorial. The more dominant tortoise of the pair keeps telling the submissive one to get out of the territory, but the submissive tortoise can't get out, so with nowhere to go, he stops eating, stays hiding, just to keep out of the other one's way.

 

[TortoiseCharlie]

The urates is just fine.

The other problem might (I say MIGHT) be related to having a pair. Two tortoises most times doesn't work out well. Tortoises are solitary and territorial. The more dominant tortoise of the pair keeps telling the submissive one to get out of the territory, but the submissive tortoise can't get out, so with nowhere to go, he stops eating, stays hiding, just to keep out of the other one's way.

This could be true, however they appear to be getting on just fine. They BOTH do like to sleep lots, but just one more than the other. They don't seem to have any problems with sharing each others space?

 

[Tom]

Your temps are also too cool. Basking area should be closer to 37. What is the room temp in your house? This might be too cool too.

What are you using for UV?

What sort of substrate is that?

Check out this thread for more discussion on the pair thing:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/introducing-two-tortoises-yes-or-no.125736/

About the urates: I would soak daily for a while, and then cut back to every other while they are so small.

 

[Paranub]

Urates can range from milk to almost looking like chewing gum. It all depends on what your tortoise is storing at the time. They do not have toilet habbits quite the same as humans, They cycle waste and liquids, which is why they almost always go to the loo when they are in water. Old out, new in!

Torts can also go without eating for quite some time, depending on the species, warmer temps can help to get them going and encourage eating / movement.
I would advise against picking them up and putting them in front of food, if anything, do it the other way around. Bring the food to them and let them choose if they want to eat or not.

If a warm bath / increased temps do not bring him out of the lethargic mood, then i would have him tested for parasites, a sample of poo can be taken to a local vets and sent away. Can be common in petshop bought torts.

Hope you figure it out. Trial and error is key!

PS. Oh, just to add, it took my George 2-3 weeks to settle into his routine when we got him, So dont worry too much just yet.