Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello Everyone,
I am experienced herper...and ive had 2 sulcatta babies for about 2 months. One of the little babies, about an inch and a half long, has stopped eating and hasnt opened his eyes in the last few days. The other tortoise is doing fine, and the heat is up fine, etc. Any answers or suggestions? Could he be hibernating since it has cooled down lately? THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP

>>Hello Everyone,
>>I am experienced herper...and ive had 2 sulcatta babies for about 2 months. One of the little babies, about an inch and a half long, has stopped eating and hasnt opened his eyes in the last few days. The other tortoise is doing fine, and the heat is up fine, etc. Any answers or suggestions? Could he be hibernating since it has cooled down lately? THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP

You need to see a herp vet ASAP. Sulcata tortoises do not hibernate, what you are describing sounds like an illness so your best bet would be to seek medical treatment first thing tomorrow.
This is a good article that you may want to check out:

http://www.sulcstatn.addr.com/hatchfail.html
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PHRatz

The biggest killer of baby tortoises is dehydration and pneumonia. I rank both of them as equal.

In the winter time the temperature is usually cranked up without due consideration to the effects this has on humidity.

I'm a firm believer that you cannot give these guys too much water.

If the little guy does not have a runny/wet nose it is probably not pneumonia.

Soak the little guy and if it passes urates (the white stuff) with at least a 'tooth paste' consistancy there is hope.

If the shell is soft and squishy there odds are not good and you should seek the advice of a vet.

Make sure the temperature is at least 80F and also make sure the little guy gets plenty of fluids. Also provide a humid hide. This will reduce water loss.

>>Hello Everyone,
>>I am experienced herper...and ive had 2 sulcatta babies for about 2 months. One of the little babies, about an inch and a half long, has stopped eating and hasnt opened his eyes in the last few days. The other tortoise is doing fine, and the heat is up fine, etc. Any answers or suggestions? Could he be hibernating since it has cooled down lately? THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

THank you for your reply. What type of suggestions do you offer for a humid hide box or substrate?

You can use a flower pot cut in half vertically and attach a sponge to the top.

Another idea is to get a rubbermaid box and cut a hole for access. Fill the box with moistened sand.

In both these cases make sure the hide is placed in the warmer section of the enclosure.

Finally, if the floor of your enclosure is waterproof you can lay down a layer of sand in a section of the the warm end of the inclosure and keep that moist.

Keep in mind that cool and moist is a killer.

>>THank you for your reply. What type of suggestions do you offer for a humid hide box or substrate?
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care