Won’t eat Mash/Doesn’t drink

nick w

New Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2018
Messages
1
Location (City and/or State)
Queens
hi everyone,

I just got my Russian tortoise named tortellini in July. He is the man, but unfortunately I can’t get him to eat his grassland mashed pellets, and he won’t drink any water, not even when soaking, ive never seen him drink at all. He currently is just eating romaine, some kale, and sometimes arugula, green pepper, cucumber, and strawberries. What should I fix or adjust to make him have a better diet?

Thanks!
 

Minority2

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2018
Messages
1,052
Location (City and/or State)
Tortoise Hell
There are many factors associated with not eating. Choice of foods fed, temperatures, UVB, and past care history can all be factors.

Please study the links provided to understand what your adult Russian tortoise's needs are:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/b...or-other-herbivorous-tortoise-species.107734/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

Store bought greens should not be main staple of a tortoise's diet. Russians tortoises are not a fruit eating species. Use these links below to understand why certain foods such as kale should not fed often and why strawberries should be best avoided for non fruit eating species.
https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/
https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/tortoise-diet/harmful-properties/

Make sure you temperatures are accurate. Buy a temperature gun to confirm. Do not buy cheap reptile branded thermometers and hygrometers. They are very inaccurate.

An adult tortoise requires at least a 8 (L) x 4 (W) ft tank/table/enclosure. Small tanks/tables/enclosures do not allow heat to spread out evenly and create ideal temperatures zones needed for a tortoise's digestive needs.

Did you happen to purchase your tortoise and his or her home in a pet shop? If so, there is a very good chance that many of the equipment you have is not ideal for tortoises. I assure you, sales associates hardly anything about tortoises.

Please include picture(s) of your tortoise's home so fellow members can help you further. Tortoises are a very expensive pet. I usually recommend equipment that is cheaper, more reliable, and more durable than what you can usually find in big box pet stores. We're not going to steer you wrong here in tortoise forum.
 

RosemaryDW

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2016
Messages
4,144
Location (City and/or State)
Newport Coast, CA
Welcome to the forum!

It’s often hard to tell when a tortoise is drinking; you might not notice more than the rare bubble coming up.

A well hydrated Russian tortoise may not drink at all; mine only does when coming out of hibernation and the one time she’s been sick. The rest of the time she’s adequately hydrated through her diet. If he’s going to the bathroom and passing white urates that aren’t gritty, he’s likely fine.

That said, there are likely to be several things about his setup that aren’t ideal. Stop the strawberries and green peppers right now but spend more time reading the information posted above and getting the enclosure straightened out.

You can find a temperature gun here; they aren’t expensive: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00837ZGRY/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20.
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,269
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
hi everyone,

I just got my Russian tortoise named tortellini in July. He is the man, but unfortunately I can’t get him to eat his grassland mashed pellets, and he won’t drink any water, not even when soaking, ive never seen him drink at all. He currently is just eating romaine, some kale, and sometimes arugula, green pepper, cucumber, and strawberries. What should I fix or adjust to make him have a better diet?

Thanks!
Most tortoises won't eat the ZooMed Pellet at first, and many won't eat it plain even after some time. The way to introduce it is to break off a tiny piece and soak it in a bottle cap. Then mix it all up with the days greens so that he can't eat around it. Start with hardly any at all, and gradually start adding more over weeks and months. No rush here.

If you must use grocery store foods, favor endive and escarole as your staples. Those other things you mention are not great food, but okay once in a while, except for the strawberry. I wouldn't feed any fruit to a russian at all. Here is a list of good foods and you might already have some of them near you for free.
Mulberry leaves
Grape vine leaves
Hibiscus leaves
African hibiscus leaves
Blue hibiscus leaves
Rose of Sharon leaves
Rose leaves
Geraniums
Gazanias
Lavatera
Pansies
Petunias
Hostas
Honeysuckle
Cape honeysuckle
Leaves and blooms from any squash plant, like pumpkin, cucumber, summer squash, etc...
Young spineless opuntia cactus pads

Weeds:
There are soooooooo many...
Dandelion
Mallow
Filaree
Smooth Sow thistle
Prickly Sow thistle
Milk thistle
Goat head weed
Cats ear
Nettles
Trefoil
Wild onion
Wild mustard
Wild Garlic
Clovers
Broadleaf plantain
Narrow leaf plantain
Chick weed
Hawksbit
Hensbit
Hawksbeard

Other good stuff:
"Testudo Seed Mix" from http://www.tortoisesupply.com/SeedMixes
Pasture mixes or other seeds from http://www.groworganic.com/seeds.html
Homegrown alfalfa
Mazuri Tortoise Chow
ZooMed Grassland Tortoise Food

Just like the ZooMed pellets, it will take time to introduce all these new foods, but it is time well spent.
 
Top