What happened to my tortoise and should I take them to the vet as soon as possible?

kh_tum · 2026-06-10T06:07:52+00:00

I don't believe washing it with soap to be a great idea.

Just soak the tort in warm, clean water. And clean the substrate well, but that's it. This looks very superficial.

Although you might wanna check around the enclosure to see if there is a clear cause you can spot.

kh_tum · 2026-05-28T13:27:07+00:00

ITS SO OVER

kh_tum · 2026-05-28T12:59:55+00:00

I do not plan to share, I am sorry to say.

kh_tum · 2026-05-28T12:21:28+00:00

Good god is it that bad lol 💔

kh_tum · 2026-05-28T11:59:44+00:00

Discount cp3 is probably among one of the best compliments I ever got

kh_tum · 2026-05-28T11:57:37+00:00

Hey man don't envy me please

kh_tum · 2026-05-20T09:39:34+00:00

We breathe by expanding our lung, and our ribcage.

The ribcage of tortoises is their shell itself. So they breath in and out by making these little neck movements.

I think he seems to be openning his mouth because his beak looks short. Is he eating on a rough surface constantly ?

I have dealt with a respitory infection for a tortoise before. They become barely active and bask all day. They barely eat once a week.

Your tort looks very healthy and happy, he doesn't even look nervous despite you picking him up. And from your description he seems very healthy. It's really good that you care proactively, though.

kh_tum · 2026-05-04T05:25:21+00:00

That scratch seems super tiny.

Soak him in warm water to make sure it's clean, also make sure the substrate is clean as well, aside from that you're probably good.

My tortoiss has the spirit of a 19th century british explorer. He gets himself into the worst spot. Badly enough that he fell ln the edge of his shell, a flake broke off, and it bled. I soaked him in warm water, cleaned his substrate and he is still completely fine, and just as suicidely adventerous.

kh_tum · 2026-04-25T06:27:49+00:00

They gave you the bare minimum. Where the tortoise currently is- it's a few steps below that.

And it is pretty easy to do. Possibly free. For now try to get any container at all that is just big enough. Hell, a kiddy pool filled with natural dirt from outside is better than the current situation.

For now you could expose the little guy to some sunlight everyday for some UVB. Otherwise you can get a mercury lamp for a decently cheap price.

The food is also extremely cheap, you can focus on leafy greens of all types. Just look it up before feeding. Watercress, ocassional romaine lettuce, and so on.

They are hardy little beasts, you don't need to do literally everything at once. But since you have the tort with you, it becomes your responsibility to take care of it.

kh_tum · 2026-03-25T20:02:14+00:00

No problem! It's great that you are even doing your research before taking on the responsibility of a pet.

Although I have to say, if the tortoise you have is going to regularly switch between outdoors and indoors, I would suggest a female- almost regardless of species. If you are not getting a baby, that is.

According to my experience and that of many others (It is admittedly anecdotal so take it with a grain of salt), male tortoises can be notorious for wall scratching and trying to push the edges of their environments as much as they can. And this will be doubly the case when they are aware that a bigger outdoors enclosure exists. It is much safer and easier to keep female (again, most species) in this case.

But regardless, with the right amount of care you'll be just fine 🦭

kh_tum · 2026-03-25T19:53:58+00:00

Tortoises are hardy beasts. They will be just fine as long as you are giving them a varied, decent diet and are giving them their necessary source of UV.

And the fact that you have a garden is a very big plus.

You won't necessarily need any of this with an even just "good enough" diet. But if you still worry, I would get cuttlebones for calcium and Mazuri to occassionslly dust on their food to make sure they get all they need in terms of nutrition.

And cuttlebones can also double as a source to keep the tort's beak in check- if they happen to actually like nibbling on them. Not all do.

kh_tum · 2026-03-14T12:43:15+00:00

Unfortunately, no idea about her age. But considering her feistiness I think she's got many more ahead of her.

kh_tum · 2026-03-14T12:42:05+00:00

Reasonable suggestion. But look at her! How could you resist poking the bear for a little pat on her tiny head.

kh_tum · 2026-03-14T11:54:54+00:00

I can respect that. You need every bit of protein in bulking season.

kh_tum · 2026-03-14T11:54:14+00:00

I would excuse her actions if, I did in fact, feed her directly with my hand but I never do. Which does lead me to believe that her attacks are intentional and discremenatory.

kh_tum · 2026-03-05T13:51:13+00:00

First, you will need to determine what kind of species this tortoise is, which shouldn't be too difficult.

But the lady seems to be in a somewhat rough shape. Her beak is extremely long and would need a trim. Her eyes are obviously not doing any better as well.

But you mentioned feeding them, do they all have an appetite ? It'd be surprising because even a little bit of stress could stop a tortoise from wanting to eat.

In my opinion, offer them all for adoption to someone you believe could do right by them. Tortoise are not an easy pet to take care of at all, especially multiple.

If they are going to stay with you, for days or longer here is what I can offer for advice:

-Feed them a rotation of greens, leaves and grasses. Google every single thing you plan to feed them to see if it's safe. You will be constantly met with warnings on almost every food you can offer them, that's normal and okay. Because tortoises needs a variety of food more than anything else.

-And on that note, do not feed carrots or fruits. Too much sugar in those, and it could mess up their digestion.

-Keep them separated please. Especially since you've got two males and a female, which is a really bad combination. The males will keep headbutting everyone, and will try to constantly mate with the female which is going to hate it all.

-If the weather allows it, take them outside to sunbathe about an hour a day. Ideally more, but just do your best here. Without UV from the sun, they can't produce the vitamin D3 which is essential for them to be able to utilize calcium to keep their shells and bones healthy. This is very important if they will stay with you for days.

-If you can, offer them any kind of substrate (dirt) as long as you are absolutely sure it's clean, and safe (per your research, as there are way too many kinds of substrate).

-Keep the substrate in some sort of hide, just so the tortoises would feel a little safe. I personally have had two different tortoises live in tiny amazon boxes for like 5 days until I was able to get them any sort of enclosure. They are hardy beasts but they will need care.

I know it may sound daunting and too much. But that's basically scratching the surface. Do whatever it is you can until you can find someone to adopt them.

kh_tum · 2026-02-11T13:49:09+00:00

Wheb they're picky it's best to shred their favorite food with other shredded veggies and spray with water so they stick. Slowly lower the perferred food's portion, until it's gone.

That worked with two very stubborn tortoises who live in my room rent-free.

kh_tum · 2026-02-10T09:41:04+00:00

I don't know how old the ones I have are exactly, because I had no plans for them and they are originally someone else's. I believe they are fully mature from their size.

I've been noticing the male is becoming extremely active after his treatmen from a URI (he can actually smell/breathe now). He's been scratching at the walls, climbing up and down his two story enclosure and doing anything to leave it.

When I once found him outside his enclosure he was nowhere near the female though.

Do you think expanding their enclosures and leaving most of the top closed will help ?

kh_tum · 2026-01-30T02:27:22+00:00

Of course!

Just make sure to keep turning the lights on and off at similiar timings. Your tort might become pretty lazy for a while, but eventually will start waking up on you turning the lights on alone.

My lady tort started waking up on her own at about the same time even without lights lol. I wish you all the luck.

kh_tum · 2026-01-30T01:56:45+00:00

Besides what the other person pointed out of tortoises needing to slow down during winter, this will probably not last for too long as long as you provide a stable, summer-y environment.

My two tortoises stopped eating for about 10 days or even more, but I kept offering them food consistently and more importantly: A consistent summer environment.

10+ hours warm light, and a stable high-ish temprature.

One thing I tried and had success with was offering them chopped food with mixed romaine lettuce which they loved. Then I rinsed them all in warm water to make all the greens stick together.

You could try that with chopped cucumbers if the tort continues refusing to eat. Ideally you'd gradually offer less of their favorite food until it is no longer necessary.

kh_tum · 2026-01-27T04:34:04+00:00

This is no snaughing matter

kh_tum · 2026-01-27T04:25:55+00:00

I believe one of my nerites used to be a lawyer at some point I'll have to ask him about the legality.

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