Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everyone, I stopped keeping tortoises because every baby tortoise I got would die with the exception of a baby sulcatta. I can't understand what I was doing wrong. Supplements every other feeding, vitamins and calcium w/ D3. Couple hrs of sun everyday, varied diet (endive, collards, turnip,kale,romaine,etc). Soakings every other day. They would eventually get soft shells and die. I've lost small groups of redfoots and stars this way. Does anyone know what I could've been doing wrong? I would really like to get back into them...

Wow, that is dissapointing for sure. It sounds like you covered the basics, I don't know what the problem is. Probably they are having trouble with Ca assimilation? The combination of foods, and the type of Ca supplement might be suspect. I offer cuttle bone, poultry egg shells, ground oyster shell, nopales cacti and I have not had any soft shell issues. Though controversial, I have personally had good results with Mazuri tortoise chow as part of a diverse diet, and it seems well balanced with nutrients, including Ca. I hope you can solve the problem, and I would look at available light, increase sun, and readily available Ca. sources. Good luck, Vic H.