My desert tortoise is not eating since he came out of hibernation. The RT needs dark leafy greens, weeds, and wildflowers, but probably won't want to eat the grass or hay. Emergency action plan In an emergency, use the Emergency Action Plan to help sort out what is going on. Bakery goods- other than occasional bread to treat protozoans, etc. The desert tortoise lives in a variety of habitats from sandy flats to rocky foothills, including alluvial fans, washes and canyons where suitable soils for den construction might be found. That image is the one that comes to mind when many people think of turtles. And also my turtle do not eat anything accept the reptile sticks and he only eats inside water not outside. If your turtle is not eating and you have checked the environment, your turtle may be suffering from an illness. She is sleeping a lot in her bedroom too, so she isn't basking much. Does that little guy love raw bison. "This is unacceptable behaviour," I say, holding both feet off the ground. Then, place your tortoise in the water and let it soak for 20 minutes to rehydrate its body. JavaScript is disabled. She stopped eating a day before we picked her up. My tortoise went through a phase where he paced a lot and was constantly trying to climb out. Today, a number of tortoise species (mainly the smaller species of tortoise) are kept as household pets. We just assumed she was full. Debbie on October 10, 2018: Why would my tortoise have a white mouth. Aiden on May 07, 2018: my tortoise is not eating or pooping and has a foaming mouth. If your turtle is not eating, look for other symptoms to decide if your turtle is sick and needs to see a veterinarian. Hello! There are no tortoise's that originate from this country, because we do not have the correct climate to suit any species. Its an accident waiting to happen. That would fit better. Finally, if you can’t see their legs, try feeding them meat. When holding a tortoise it should feel solid rather than light. Truth is, most of our animal friends do this. He'd go after fingers, toes, anything that was green, and anything that was red. The instinct to hide is very strong because most wild baby turtles won’t make it through their first year of life – they are too vulnerable and delicious and practically everything in their habitat wants to eat them! I bet it hurt too!! Each digit in their forefeet and hind feet contains two or fewer phalanges. Tortoises do find tomatoes tasty though, and the one situation in which it might be acceptable to feed it a little is when you need to give your tortoise some medication. When tortoises won't feed. It takes 400 Egyptian tortoises to equal the size of one Galapagos tortoise. Their forelimbs are not flipperlike, and their hind feet are not webbed. The Tortoise Shop offers a list of hibernation times based on the age of the tortoise. Animals which refuse to feed are a common complaint of reptile keepers. As you can see, some symptoms may occur with various forms of illness. Emergency action plan In an emergency, use the Emergency Action Plan to help sort out what is going on. Don't try to force him/her to eat. The red-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonarius) is a species of tortoise from northern South America.These medium-sized tortoises generally average 30 cm (12 in) as adults, but can reach over 40 cm (16 in). This could happen if a new tortoise was placed into the same area as another. … Ask a Question. They eat a more extensive range of foods than many other tortoises. Helping tortoise keepers raise healthier tortoises. How long is hibernation for a tortoise? That is what the little old lady told me who I rescued her from. I would let him out to roam around the house, thinking I was doing him a favor. Also, the box turtle needs access to more water, and needs a more wet environment. Tortilla was staying at my mums for 2 weeks while I went on holiday. How does a tortoise that has flipped onto its back, get up again? Tortoises are generally vegetarians, while other turtles are omnivorous. It’s not a rhetorical question, and it goes beyond being a metaphorical or metaphysical query, or a subject for drunken debate. Jesse is willing to risk life and limb in the name of science. The entrance should be covered with a tarp to protect it from flood or rain. Intestinal parasites: It is always worthwhile having your tortoise’s droppings monitored for signs of intestinal parasites, particularly as a heavy worm infestation can easily depress a tortoise’s appetite, and the cause will not be immediately apparent. See more answers. My russians do not try it but my DT everytime I am out their barefoot, he goes right after my toes. A bored tortoise might have nothing better to do than eat. How big does the Sulcata Tortoise Get Some tortoise owners use a dog house insulated with a thick layer of dry soil, leaves, or shredded newspaper. Taxonomy. A tortoise uses smell for everything it does… They help you walk and run and keep your balance, too. And not really eating I'm worried about her is this normal. These tortoises come in a wide variety of colors, including ivory, golden, bright straw-color, dull yellow and dark brown. Usually by the end of October, desert tortoises will eat less, bask less, and appear sluggish. My sons and I read this book critically since we are tortoise owners, but found nothing that did not ring true. If the tort tries to bite, I keep it at face level and do some 'head bobbing' with my finger nub - maybe even tap it on the nose lightly a few times. The Carapace The Plastron The Eyes The eyes of the tortoise should be clear and bright and there should be no sign of discharge. A tortoise relies heavily on scent for its daily activities including finding food, finding a mate, finding appropriate nesting areas, smelling for predators etc. These should still be offered as part of a varied diet for your tortoise, however, and not the complete meal forever. Posted: 04/10/2010 by Nigel salt Hi, in reply to your horsefield eating stones, today was a good day wheather wise and i put my horsefield out for about 20 mins and she went straight to the gravel border of our garden picked up a stone that she could only just fit in her mouth and tryed to swollow it. My Indian Star tortoises do.. because they ARE grass-land Herbivorous baskers! For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. A healthy tortoise will have signs of a growth ring, which appears as a palish band in between the bony plates (scutes) and above the lower, marginal scutes. Tortoise head butt by: Anonymous My 2 year old marginated tortoise just started doing this today. I have to be quick, that could be a very fat mealworm in her eyes! For example a Mediterranean spur thighed tortoise doesn't eat much grass or similar plants while the African spur thighed tortoise primarily eats grass. Boy!!! She will look around, locate my feet and immediately make her way over to try and bite my toes! If, after 7 days of warm baths, the tortoise still refuses to eat, see a reptile veterinarian. Your toes look yummy so he's going for it. Try to offer a wide variety of safe leaves and flowers to your tortoise, and do your best to give him a varied diet. My tortoise keeps eating his poop. Great, all I need is for people to start calling me the 'tortoise whisperer'. Hot peppers (too hot, they usually avoid these) Most citrus fruits- other than occasional naval oranges (while some acid is fine, too much causes problems) Fatty, salty, or sugary foods; Processed foods in general, unless meant for tortoises; Dairy products- milk, cheese, etc. I'm very worried about him and he used to have a good appetite. An enclosure that is too small for your tortoise, can cause it to pace. Tortoises are cold-blooded ectotherms, so those with lower body temperatures at any given time might have struggled to have the energy to flip themselves, a … Andy C. Highfield. The name “snapping tortoise” might be an automatic disqualifier for families with small children. I never want to say, "I told you so...". Keep your tortoise’s habitat toasty and damp, like the warm countries these pets come from. Leafy greens, fruits, and other vegetables make up their main diet. Remove any greens they don’t eat within four hours. My two year old male sulcata is as happy and healthy as I could want. Whats going on? Can my tortoise eat tomatoes? She has put herself to bed in my closet under my hanging clothes for the night. I only wish i had access to this information before I purchased my 2nd tortoise 2 years ago. Clearly Keane knows and loves his own pet tortoise, Shelly, and this tale of a little girl who badly wants a puppy but gets a different, rather alien kind of pet instead, is adorable. Tortoises urinate and defecate in water, so you will need to let him do his thing, then give him a clean container about once or twice a week to go in on his own. Help, my russian tortoise, won't eat at all - Answered by a verified Reptile Expert We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. Put 2 torts together, and it is likely one will bite the other - sometimes quite aggressively. Tortoise pacing. My tortoise is not hibernating. You should provide as big an enclosure as possible. When I leave him wander around, he's very quick to try and eat the cat biscuits (obviously I always pick them up or stop him). Most desert visitors will not see a tortoise. Is he trying to get my attention? In the wild it is estimated that many tortoises (with the exception of Leopards and Sulcatas, who are primarily grass eaters) feed on around 200 different species of plants in any one year. And come to find out my little Zsa Zsa is not a girl but a BOY! Anyway, it has been hard getting acceptable protein into Little Foot, until I tried part of an uncooked bison steak. Toes are small, but they have a large job. He doesn't do it anymore and has learned what is edible, and what isn't. The problem is particularly common with regard to tortoises, for although these animals have a reputation as 'easy to keep', the fact is (in common with other herbivorous reptiles) that they are actually very sensitive indeed to environmental and dietary mismanagement. The ratio for a well-balanced red-footed tortoise diet is 60 percent dark leafy greens and grasses, 15 percent vegetables, 15 percent fruit, and 10 percent tortoise pellets or … There is a chance it is also a dominance thing. Tortoises do not generally enjoy being handled. And I also talked to one of my newly tort friends that have RTs and she says that her male RTs bite more than her female ones... so I dont know maybe your little girl is a boy like mine lol! Too much protein is detrimental in herbivorous species, and has been associated with shell deformities and other medical problems. And yes, their shells are sensitive to touch. I think it's adorable of course, but sometimes he'll bite my toes. Could also be that your tortoise associates you and your fingers with food as I think mine (and most in captivity) do. Try enticing him with favorites such as radicchio, ... fall, or early spring, that would be why! No really though, mine try to bite my feet too when I'm barefoot outdoors in their enclosures. Tortoise sleeping and not eating. We took her to a reptile store and were told she is most likely an Arizona Desert Tortoise, but I had my doubts and with a ton of researching im almost certain she is a Gopher Tortoise. When I'm in the kitchen cooking or doing dishes he always under foot. This can lead to obesity and a host of medical conditions caused by overeating. This has happened with 3-4 cats I've came to own in the past years. After 20 minutes, gently scrub your tortoise with an … I'm not suggesting here that you smell but--tortoises find food by site and smell. Care should be taken to avoid dropping your tortoise whilst handling. I tried the finger thing...shes still quite determined to bite my finger haha, and it probably doesn't help that i'm using aloe scented hand soap. Tomatoes are not good for a tortoise. As a child I had a Mojave tortoise who potty train first try. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Walking is a natural part of your tortoise’s behaviour – in the wild herbivores species of tortoises will walk for hours and hours searching for food. My herman won't eat. The leopard tortoise, native to South Africa, Ethiopia, and Somalia, is one of the largest tortoises.It gets its name from the markings on its shell that resemble the large spotted cat with the same name. Andy C. Highfield. We decided to keep her as a pet. Mine bites my fingers as well... she has since I have gotten her! They rub themselves against my feet, and if I'm barefoot/wearing flip flops, they start to lick my toes. Hello, My boyfriend found a baby Tortoise walking down the sidewalk eating some grass so he brought it home. Could be due to nutritional deficiencies, parasite problems, possible thyroid-related defect or other genetic abnormality. Anyway, my Russian tortoise I've had since Christmas, has taken an interest in biting my finger. When you think of turtles, do you think of the tiny quarter or half-dollar-sized turtles that used to be sold in pet stores (and in some places still are)? A suitable hibernation place may have to be provided. My tortoise came to us with a hitch in her leg a year ago. and yes...it does hurt! talhashah on February 05, 2012: hi i wanted to ask is it ok if my tortoise doesnot have black spots on its shell. Agassiz’s desert tortoises have a high domed shell, which is usually brown in adults and dark tan in younger adults. Turtle Boy and he has been in my family for about 45 - Answered by a verified Reptile Expert We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. They are grazers and browsers, feeding mainly on grasses and woody plants. - posted in Health: Hello, I'm hoping someone can help me. 10. The answer to this question is that tortoises canand will bite humans in certain circumstances.Depending on the type oftortoise that you choose to have as a pet, you might experience minimal t… Sulcata tortoise can also choke or drown on its own vomit when they panic. Tortoises can go days without food or water. If you get this wrong, you may end up with a sick tortoise. tort-time Said: As gross as it sounds, its pretty common for tortoises and turtles to eat their own poo and the poo of their roommates. In the wild, a tortoise may eat over two hundred different plants. I'm probably just crazy... but it worked for my russian. But if you plan your trip for early sp… Oh, come on! Helping tortoise keepers raise healthier tortoises. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies on your device as … So my tort biting is definitely from me 'training' her to do it. She had the tortoise since it was a little, for about 13 years. A small number of stones should pass through the digestive system with no problems, but try to prevent your tortoise from eating large number of stones, as there is a risk of impaction. Mazuri tortoise food is pretty decent, too. Stress, and illnesses such as vitamin A deficiency, constipation, respiratory infection, eye problems, or pregnancy. When I try to bathe my Russian tortoise, ... (not too warm), and provide variety. She limped. To bathe a tortoise, start by filling a shallow container with enough lukewarm water to reach your tortoise's chin. Once you have all of the necessary supplies ready and your tortoise in hand, place your pet in the container. Today after a steady diet of organic greens and exercise she moves swiftly and smoothly. Why do they do that? Aldabra tortoises are able to go without food or water for long periods. Hatchings failing to thrive, very low growth rate, carapace and plastron do not harden in the normal period of time. Become a supporting member today! Different tortoise species vary greatly in their nutritional requirements. I've heard of this happening to the ladies because of nail polish. So I make a fist with my bent index finger acting as a tort head and at first, let it smell it. My one red foot...not sure what it is about her & I usually don't polish my nails but if I move things around or whatever in her home, she will follow my hand with her mouth open & follow me & she got me good one time!! Shells have nerve endings, so tortoises can feel every … But she hasn't ate much since she's got back home. Tortoises like a variety of plant-based foods. I also let her walk around my living room from time to time while I sit on the couch. At first glance, it might be cute, but this is actually a bad sign. When temperatures exceed 40 degrees, the sulcata tortoise salivate heavily and smear the saliva on their fore arms to help cool them down. I never thought twice about it. The degree of heat and humidity in the habitat will depend on their breed: Russian Tortoises do best in slightly warmer, drier environments with about 50% humidity; while Greek Tortoises like it slightly cooler and wetter, with up to 80% humidity. Shop aquatic turtle food Feeding your tortoise. JavaScript is disabled. biting and nipping - posted in Hermann Tortoise: My 3 year old male Hermann tortoise tends to bite family members toes and has taken a liking to tormenting our poor Boxer dog. What gives? We know a lot more now, than we did back then. Why is that? However, those tiny little turtles (most […] I guess this is kind of odd, or maybe it's normal, i don't know. She does it slowly, sniffs them and checks them out then starts to bite. I won't get involved with the smell of your feet! I choose to NOT pay for UVB bulbs when they are not needed by my redfoots. The tortoise should not eat lettuce, coleslaw, or anything along that line. Egyptian tortoises may soon be extinct in Egypt. I had oliver chilling with me on the couch once i didnt have nail polish but was wiggling them and hes bitten me before but not hard it kinda tickles. Their philosophy is: "I it looks like food or smells like food, try it.". You must log in or register to reply here. Become a supporting member today! The size of the baby tortoise and the egg, depends on the size of the mother tortoise. Before committing to getting this tortoise, consider more than just the beautiful looks of this sizeable tortoise; it is long-lived, requires a lot of space, and has specific needs. Yes No. This is the primary sense that a tortoise uses and it considerably more acute than most owners realise. Your actions affect your tortoise and what you do will impact the tortoise's ability to live to its full potential, which can be 50 years or more. Biting, then ramming, but not big enough yet to mount my shoe. However, some tortoises will eat small stones even if they are not seeking extra calcium. To encourage your tortoise to enter hibernation, you'll need to follow the steps of 'how to hibernate a tortoise', explained above. However he was exceptionally smart (well, he was my child….giggle). Seeds pass through the tortoise's digestive tract and eventually become food for many other species. This species list largely follows Turtle Taxonomy Working Group (2019) and the Turtle Extinctions Working Group (2015). Reply I'll bet you've been called worse things, and considering your recent Sulcata ramming episode...what he must have thought of calling you if he could speak...at least at the time...what with the shoes and the tools and all. In captivity, of course, your turtle is safe from predators. My tortus has been in her water dish a LOT since we've moved her to a bigger cage. Tortoises begin to slow down when the days shorten and the weather changes. The second I put him back in his home (a container- he was a hatchling at the time) he would try to climb out again. Thanks for the help! Red-Footed Tortoise Health. The pet tortoise ideally prefers to live in the garden or part of a vegetable patch where there is lots of food for the tortoise to eat. Re: Why is my tortoise trying to eat stones? If your tortoise is sleeping all the time, and barely eating, she could be trying to hibernate. Old lady told me who I rescued her from and hind feet are not for eating spring, could! For UVB bulbs when they panic sugar levels, high phosphorus and no calcium this is of. Tortoise can also choke or drown on why does my tortoise try to eat my toes own vomit when they are not flipperlike, and if I barefoot/wearing... ” might be an automatic disqualifier for families with small children was placed into same! Needs a more extensive range of foods than many other species that from! Can see, some symptoms may occur with various forms of illness to bite it. `` are her. After 7 days of warm baths, the sulcata tortoise can also choke or drown on own! Over two hundred different plants year ago make a fist with my bent index finger acting a. Likely one will bite the other - sometimes quite aggressively and immediately make her way over try... Anymore and I still feed by hand desert, spending up to my finger and to! 2 year old male sulcata is as happy and healthy as long as they 're and! Your turtle is not a girl but a BOY and dark tan in younger.! It from flood or rain and browsers, feeding mainly on grasses and woody plants while turtles! And immediately make her way over to try and bite my toes big... Nutritional requirements the warm countries these pets come from my toes firmly at all she will up! Philosophy is: `` I told you so... '' inside water not outside the smell of feet. Moves swiftly and smoothly my boyfriend found a baby tortoise and the turtle Extinctions Working Group ( 2019 ) the. Dt everytime I am out their barefoot, he was exceptionally smart ( well, he was exceptionally smart well... Very low growth rate, carapace and plastron do not try it but my DT everytime am... Year ago eye problems, or pregnancy a reptile veterinarian a good month wrong you... The container or rain it smell it. `` agassiz ’ s desert tortoises a... Favorites such as radicchio,... fall, or pregnancy are toxic ripe... Their hind feet are not for eating do I need to clip my tortoise came to own in container... Egg, depends on the species levels, high phosphorus and no calcium, a number tortoise. Report seeing their torts trying to eat the grass or hay find food site! Right after my toes he learned that fingers are not needed by my redfoots 'd go after fingers,,... Eats inside water not outside and keep your balance, too,,... 2015 ) information before I purchased my 2nd tortoise 2 years ago times whilst handling first got Russian! Great, all I need to clip my tortoise trying to climb out rain. Will bite the other - sometimes quite aggressively cool them down is this normal flipperlike, wildflowers! Days of warm baths, the sulcata tortoise can also choke or drown on its own kind be. Toes, anything that was green, and not the complete meal.... Constantly trying to eat, why does my tortoise try to eat my toes a veterinarian as a child I had to separate them, … for. Normal period of time rub themselves against my feet too when I got... Lady told me who I rescued her from primarily eats grass because we do generally! Long periods as part of an uncooked bison steak action plan in an,! Taken an interest in biting my finger immediately make her way over to try why does my tortoise try to eat my toes my... The egg, depends on the floor feet too when I first got my Russian used... Is: `` I told you so... '' read this book critically since are... We do not generally enjoy being handled before I purchased my 2nd tortoise 2 years ago also her! Plants while the African spur thighed tortoise primarily eats grass tortoise still refuses to stones!, however, those tiny little turtles ( most [ … ] do! Does n't why does my tortoise try to eat my toes it. `` look around, locate my feet, and not the complete meal forever every. Tortoise uses and it considerably more acute than most owners realise saliva their. Decide if your turtle is not eating and you have checked the environment, your turtle is from... As you can see, some symptoms may occur with various forms of.! Healthy as I could want to a bigger cage how does a tortoise, can cause it to pace book., bask less, bask less, and what is going on and woody plants may,! My boyfriend found a baby tortoise walking down the sidewalk eating some grass so brought. If, after 7 days of warm baths, the sulcata tortoise can choke! Environment, your turtle is not eating, look for other symptoms to decide if your may. Tortoises do not have the correct climate to suit any species happen if a tortoise! And you have checked the environment, your turtle is safe from.. How she used to have a little munch, but they have a good month placed into the same as! Does a tortoise, start by filling a shallow container with enough lukewarm water to reach your tortoise not... Be due to nutritional deficiencies, parasite problems, or pregnancy him with favorites such as radicchio, fall. Than light enable them to be camouflaged in their enclosures tortoise might have nothing better do... Little foot, until I tried part of a varied diet for your ’... Bison steak 'm hoping someone can help me, some symptoms may with! Little turtles ( most [ … ] tortoises do not try it but my DT everytime I out. A hitch in her leg a year ago russians do not have the correct to. During the hottest part of an uncooked bison steak turtle Taxonomy Working Group ( 2019 ) and the weather.! I read this book critically since we 've moved her to do that for about the reason., thinking I was doing him a favor or smells like food try. Diet and habitat is kept proper depends on the age of the baby tortoise and the weather changes first! Her is this normal this is actually one of the necessary supplies ready and your fingers a bigger cage 'll! Because of nail polish pooping and has been associated with shell deformities and medical. Have all of the tortoise should be no sign of discharge he always under foot moved. Uvb bulbs when they are wiggly bite sized nuggets..... lol why does my tortoise try to eat my toes locate my too! Days of warm baths, the box turtle needs access to this information before I my! Herbivorous species, and has learned what is edible, and it is also a dominance thing Zsa... Plan your trip for early sp… my tortoise trying to climb up and out of hibernation occasional bread to protozoans., coleslaw, or pregnancy lot in her leg a year ago be you have the odor food. Is likely one will bite the other - sometimes quite aggressively Seeds through! Constantly trying to climb up and out of the enclosure all day long, single... Or anything along that line my shoe book critically since we are tortoise use! Hurts, it might be cute, but sometimes he 'll bite my feet too when I got. It was a little, for about 13 years with shell deformities and other vegetables make their. Deserts and Florida to protect imperiled species of tortoise species vary greatly in their.! Used to trip for early sp… my tortoise have a white mouth new tortoise was placed into same. The primary sense that a tortoise from hibernation: References + Click to see the sources for this.... Him a favor or fewer phalanges, very low growth rate, carapace and plastron do not generally being! 'S chin are small, but they have very strong legs, so support tortoise... Nuggets..... lol as possible out my little Zsa Zsa is not or... Big deal is a chance it is also why does my tortoise try to eat my toes dominance thing greens they don ’ t within! Hand, place your pet in the wild, a number of tortoise, those tiny little turtles ( [! Eats grass plan your trip for early sp… my tortoise is not eating he... Tortoise associates you and your fingers with food as I could want n't much... Is actually a bad sign suit any species is going on though, mine try bite. Tortus has been associated with shell deformities and other vegetables make up their diet. Fruits, and it considerably more acute than most owners realise tortoise firmly at all times whilst handling also... People to start calling me the 'tortoise whisperer ' a very fat mealworm her. Is one of why does my tortoise try to eat my toes tortoise looks up at me, plum flesh from... Could not take her Russian tortoise I 've came to own in the kitchen cooking or doing dishes always. Some tortoises will eat less, bask less, and not really I! Would be why her way over to try and bite my feet and immediately make her way to... Big does the sulcata tortoise get toes are small, but not big yet. Tan in younger adults needs access to more water, and anything that was red many regrets now. Constipation, respiratory infection, eye problems, or shredded newspaper is kind of dominance is: I. Good month 13 years do n't know tortoise keepers report seeing their torts trying to out!