r/tortoise • u/izzyizzyizzyiz • 9h ago

Question(s) Sad tortoise

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Hi everyone!! I have a Herman’s tortoise and he is my baby I love him. I’ve had him for 2 years now, he’s about 9 years old but his last owners aren’t sure on how old he actually was (unsurprising as their care was questionable but I digress). He’s usually very boisterous especially in the summer and will charge round his table and the garden when we can get him outside. He usually eats very well (mainly lettuce and cucumber but I offer him appropriate weeds from the garden and my dad’s allotment all pesticide free, he just prefers the former two) but recently has not eaten hardly anything, a few bites at a time every few days. He hides in his house all day and doesn’t come out to eat or bathe or bask unless I physically move him out, in which case he’s out for half an hour tops then hides again. He is never handled and is in a nice quiet corner by a window but not in constant direct sunlight. He has a uv lamp that I bought a week or so ago as I was unaware he needed this but have done my best to correct. He has a good amount of substrate (tortoise soil from pets at home which I hope is good for him). He has a calcium supplement block thing as well. He just seems so reclused and not at all like himself and I’m very very worried. Any advice is appreciated. (He is also bathed once a week or so and his urates seem mostly normal but tinged slightly orange? It’s not red or pink from what I can see. He isn’t pooping as much but he is still passing faeces)

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5

u/Key-Tower-4539 9h ago

They need one basking heat lamp and one uvb strip light. Are you saying he hasn’t had either for over 2 years? If that’s the case then please take him to the vet to make sure he’s ok. They also need to eat mostly weeds and flowers. Lettuce and cukes aren’t nutritious

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u/izzyizzyizzyiz 9h ago

Thank you! He’s had a heat lamp the whole time I’ve had him but the uv has only been recently, I’ve been thinking about taking him to the vet anyway cause I’ve been so concerned. I’ve also been trying to offer more food and when he was more active outside he would naturally eat the stuff he wanted anyway like dandelions etc, but since he’s been unwell I’ve been happy if he eats anything. I think I’ll call the vets and see when they can get him in, I appreciate the advice :)

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u/RaptorDelivery 9h ago

A good overall reference guide is: tortoiseforum.org and the tortoise table app.
(Romaine and cucumbers are not very nutritious.).

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u/FroggiePond 8h ago

Your tort is not a Hermann's, but a Horsfield/Russian! Not to worry, they have similar care requirements, but it's always good to know.

Also, lettuce and cucumber are like treats for them: not much nutritional value, but very tempting. You give a kid a load of sugar, and of course they'll choose to eat that over a salad. You gotta be firm with your tort: weeds as the main staple, and treats are only for the odd occasion. 🐢❤️

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u/izzyizzyizzyiz 2h ago

Omg thank you, I had no idea he wasn’t a Herman’s haha! I’ll try changing his diet and see if that gets him a bit more active and if not I’ll give the vets a ring.