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I just got a african spurred tortoise on sunday. he's about 3 inches long. he's not eating, but has went to the bathroom three times. also when he walks around he makes this kind of churping sound. he does it often. i have him in a 20 gallong long tank with paper towels and a hide, the temps are 85-90, and 75-80. please help. any other info would be great.

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Edited on January 9, 2004 at 12:08:47 by phwyvern.

Can you give us more information? Do you see any discharge (mucus) from his nose, is he gasping, swollen eyes, anything like that? Do you hear anything unusual in his breathing (crackling, labored breathing, etc.)? Is he fairly active, or does he seem lethargic much of the time? It isn't uncommon for a new tortoise to not eat the first few days, or even the first week.

If you can get him into a larger enclosure, you could increase his temps a bit. A 20 gallon isn't really big enough to do that safely, though. Do you have a big Rubbermaid tub you could use?

Let us have some more information, and then maybe someone with experience in Sulcatas can help you out.
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.2 Hermann's Tortoises
plus my kids' herps:
0.0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

His breathing is fine, i was holding him a couple of times, and it sounded fine. i didn't see anything coming form the nose. but when he walks sometimes he opens his mouth a little, like he is chewing something. He seems active to me. i don't really know how active they should be. but he will walk around his cage for a while, then go under his long and sleep, then get up and walk around some more, then go back and sleep. i don't know if that is normal or not. I don't have a large rubbermaid container. can i maybe cover part of the cage top to keep more heat insdie?

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Edited on January 9, 2004 at 12:07:58 by phwyvern.

I don't know if it's normal for a sulcata to make sounds like that, but otherwise he doesn't sound bad off. If he was just sitting in one spot sleeping all the time, or hiding, I'd be more concerned. Keep an eye on him and if he seems ill, or you see nasal discharge, get him to a vet.

Don't cover the tank; they need the air circulation. The problem with a smaller enclosure is that it's difficult to keep the warm side temps up without overheating the entire tank. What is the temp right under the basking light? Sulcatas like it warm where they bask. A 20 gallon is OK for now, but you will need something bigger eventually, and hopefully an outside pen as well.

HTH!
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.2 Hermann's Tortoises
plus my kids' herps:
0.0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

Thanks for all your help. I hope he's ok. i can't afford a vet bill right now, or a larger tank. he doesn't seem to hide much. he comes out walks around, then goes and sleeps a little, then comes out again, and goes back and sleeps some more. in the summmer i'll keep him outside, but i can't now. if he does have a res. infecion, instead of going to the vet what can i do for him myself?
Thanks.
Mike.

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Edited on January 13, 2004 at 16:17:45 by phwyvern.

"Thanks for all your help. I hope he's ok. i can't afford a vet bill right now, or a larger tank. he doesn't seem to hide much. he comes out walks around, then goes and sleeps a little, then comes out again, and goes back and sleeps some more. in the summmer i'll keep him outside, but i can't now. if he does have a res. infecion, instead of going to the vet what can i do for him myself? "

No offense, but why did you get a new pet if you cannot afford to take care of it properly? If the tortoise has a respiratory infection or is sick in any way, it needs to go to a veterinarian to diagnosis the problem and prescribe the proper medication. It is part of the responsibilty you assumed when you took ownership.
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Stacey

When I first got my baby redfoot (he was about the same size as your baby), he made those little chirping type noises too, usually when he was alarmed or agitated. I think your baby is just settling in. My redfoot didn't eat for the first week I think, had me a bit worried. As long as he has a hide box (make sure he can fit in it and its easy for him to get in and out of), and the right temps., he should be okay.