Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I have two redfoots and one leopard which are all 3 years old. One of my redfoots has started to whistle just a little bit occasionaly when he breathes. Now, I know that tortoises are not supposed to make any noise when they breath, but this is not very loud at all. I have to have my head within three feet of him in order to hear this noise and even then it only happens occasionally and is very faint. I began to notice this noise about six months ago and since then the tortoise has not shown any other signs of sickness. I raised the temperature in his enclosure as a precautionary measure but has yielded no change. Is it possible that there is just a little more noise now because the tortoise is getting larger. If this a definite health issue what can I do to resolve the problem? I just wanted to make sure that this is not normal as the tortoise gets older before spending 100 dollars at the vet. Thanks for any help. Cary

It could be low humidity.This seems to dry out the lungs giving them a bit of a weeze.See if this condishion showes up at the same time with tears from the eyes. Try a damper substrate.A/C Heat can dry out the air.Try some moss or cypress mulch that is damp.It should go away,and if cought in time there should be no damage to the lungs.Soooome times this sound comes from the other end in the form of gass.The normal effect of hind gut fermenters. Vic

thanks vic. actually this one tortoise always has seemed to tear up in the eyes more than the others. coincidentally this is the one tortoise I own that wont bath himself. I will try and up the humidity.