Reptile & Amphibian Forums

He doesn't seem to want to eat on his own. He seems to get frustrated in not being able to bite at the food and pick up pieces to eat. He gives up and sits there, like he is not interested in trying. I sit and hand feed him pieces and he eats like a maniac, like he hasn't eaten in weeks. As soon as I stop hand feeding and he tries to eat on his own he gives up with in seconds of not picking up food. I have tried smaller pieces, larger pieces, and nothing is helping. Anyone have any ideas or comments or ANYTHING on this? He obviously is hungery and is a good eater, but he needs to feed on his own, am I right? I am getting worried about this little guy! I soaked him today and he seems to be doing well. He drank a little when I put him in. I don't think he knows where his water is or if he tries to drink it. I have placed it near him and motion him to walk to it, but he refused to drink. He also has not pooped. That really worries me. He has eaten good for several days and nothing...Again any help would be great!!! Thanks
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~Laura

Rejoice, the age of the fall has begun
We'll dance as the palaces burn.
--Lamb of God, As the Palaces Burn

I think you may be paying TOO MUCH attention to your russian :->

Don't hand feed him or else he'll become addicted to that feeding pattern. Just put down some food and walk away. Eventually he'll figure out that he has to reach a little farther to get the food in his mouth.

And sometimes they don't poop for a few days. It takes time to get that high fiber food through the gut.

And from my observations, Russians rarely enter water or drink it. But keep the water dish in there just in case. Make sure he has a more humid spot to go to. You could have two hiding spots for him: one dry and one that is more humid. Not soaking wet, just a little humidity from a daily spritz of water. Soak him once a week in shallow water (up to his chin) for about 20 minutes. This helps rehydrate and sometimes they poop, too.

Otherwise, just make sure that he has proper heating and lighting. In case you haven't seen it yet, this website has good general info: www.russiantortoise.net

I am trying not to hand him for more than maybe five minutes or so, just to get him in that "feed mode". I feel bad though that he gives up. I want him to be a healthy little tort, so I am just taking on those motherly insticts to do what I can to make him eat... After I posted I saw him walk over to his dish and he dipped his head in a took a couple good gulps of water, so that makes me feel good that he knows where it's at. Thanks for the advice. I will stop hand feeding. Any other advice from you or anyone would be appreciated! I will keep you all posted!
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~Laura

Rejoice, the age of the fall has begun
We'll dance as the palaces burn.
--Lamb of God, As the Palaces Burn

I'm sorry I hadn't read your earlier posts on him. Seems he is struggling a little bit. If it takes a little hand feeding to keep him going, then that's OK. At some point you'll want to get him off of that. I thought you had a baby tort.

good luck!

Today I did not hand feed him and he held his intrest a little longer and managed some good bites, he gave up for a little while and then returned to the food about a half hour or so later and ate a little more. I think he will be doing good from here on out. He is regaining some strength. I think I will hand feed maybe once a week to ensure he definately is getting enough from at least one meal. Thanks for all the help.
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~Laura

Rejoice, the age of the fall has begun
We'll dance as the palaces burn.
--Lamb of God, As the Palaces Burn