This is the thread I was dreading to post...the three triplet cherry-heads that hatched last September have all, one by one, died.
The smallest one named Peanut died a couple of months ago. He started to show signs of a problem some time before as he began holding his head to the right. As the weeks passed his head became tilted more and more at an odd angle even though he would eat and act 'normal'. But finally he ceased eating and began to decline steadily. After a time it became clear he would not recover so we put him down. I am not sure exactly but I suspect that Peanut had some sort of congenital problem that became manifest as he grew.
The remaining two, Huey and Dewey seemed OK for a while after Peanut died but then they too began to decline for some unknown reason. This decline was subtle at first--they just didn't eat as readily and something about them was just 'off'. As time passed they would only eat favorite food items and then finally, nothing.
I have no idea what the problem was with them but my first guess is that there was just some inherent weakness in them that was a result of hatching at such a small size.
Even though their death is very sad for us I must say that I learned a lot in caring for them and the entire experience (except of course their death) was positive.
Tortoise breeding has its ups an downs and the triplets were one of those unique occurrences that we will never forget. Thanks to everyone here for all of the kind and encouraging comments in the past.
The smallest one named Peanut died a couple of months ago. He started to show signs of a problem some time before as he began holding his head to the right. As the weeks passed his head became tilted more and more at an odd angle even though he would eat and act 'normal'. But finally he ceased eating and began to decline steadily. After a time it became clear he would not recover so we put him down. I am not sure exactly but I suspect that Peanut had some sort of congenital problem that became manifest as he grew.
The remaining two, Huey and Dewey seemed OK for a while after Peanut died but then they too began to decline for some unknown reason. This decline was subtle at first--they just didn't eat as readily and something about them was just 'off'. As time passed they would only eat favorite food items and then finally, nothing.
I have no idea what the problem was with them but my first guess is that there was just some inherent weakness in them that was a result of hatching at such a small size.
Even though their death is very sad for us I must say that I learned a lot in caring for them and the entire experience (except of course their death) was positive.
Tortoise breeding has its ups an downs and the triplets were one of those unique occurrences that we will never forget. Thanks to everyone here for all of the kind and encouraging comments in the past.
. So sorry. Was really hoping all would be well with them and we could watch them grow.
