My russian tortoise won't eat?

Question

HI everyone--My russian tortoise, which I've had for five days now, seems healthy enough--no runny eyes or anything...he won't eat. Not a speck. He was eating on the way home from the reptile store from the chopped carrot, zucchini and cabbage the salesman put in the box with him, so I figured he must have a good appetite..he wants nothing to do with food now even when I try giving him the same thing. He has the right amount of room and substrate..the only thing I'm iffy about is his temps. He was in a quite warm room since our area of the country is quite hot--80 degrees usually. He has a basking lamp as well. Is it just him adjusting? Is that 10 degrees warmer than his cool spot ought to be causing him to not eat?

I'm starting to be very worried. I just moved him into the air-conditioned bedroom, the cats will have to deal with not being allowed in--I'm hoping if he cools off a bit he'll eat. I'm so anxious. How long did it take your tortoises to start eating?

Answer 1

the temp may be too high for your little fella, you need the basking area set the 80's in temp but the cooler end of the enclosure needs to be low 70's, you also need to give him time to settle as tortoises can get upset by a change to their environment, i would get him checked over by a reptile vet to make sure he is parasite free (all new tortoises should get a vet check when first brought) check you are feeding the right diet and you set up is correct and give him a week to settle in, if he still is not eating then defiantly get him checked over, her are a couple of sites that might be of some use to you

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/

http://www.russiantortoise.net/index.htm best of luck with your tortoise honey hope he settles soon

Answer 2

just say 'Ect' and see what happens

Answer 3

(Wow- deja vu! I think I used to give advice just like Emily's a couple years ago!)

Well...

1. It takes about a week to settle in- don't worry yet, but make sure things are nice for it. Try http://www.russiantortoise.org for details. Saying everything is OK really does not tell us anything helpful.

2. It is easy to overheat and overlight this species. Outdoor pens with lots of hiding places are great, but the indoor space needs a cooler, more humid hiding area to hide from the light and heat.

3. Make sure to review the right diet. We don't recommend a lot of fruit or protein anymore, but instead go with a drier, more fiberous diet for the bulk

Answer 4

I'm going to assume the other cares, such as pen size, temps, UV-B lighting, etc. are rock solid. If they are not, they need to get fixed before the tortoise will feed well. "Over a week" is nothing. She is just outwaiting you to get what she wants. She has learned that if she waits, you'll break down. These animals are not dumb. Don't wet the hay (mold problems), and DO NOT try dog food. Also, don't give up on the 'forage' (hay, grasses, etc.) Try this:

Every meal, offer her a good varied salad mix of:

- 50% forage (hay, grasses, yard plants, leaves, flowers, etc.)

- 35% vegetables (dark leafy greens mostly, but also a variety of other colorful veggies).

- 10% fruits

- Less than 5% proteins (mashed hard-boiled eggs and shells, cooked chicken, pinkies, etc.)

- A sprinkle of reptile vitamins with B13,and a dose of calcium supplement.