Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We welcomed a 66g young russian tortoise into our home last Saturday. We "stalked" her at the pet shop we purchased her from and found her to be lively and a great eater while at the pet shop. She last ate Saturday 12/24 morning before transport home and hasn't eaten since. She has pooped nicely twice while bathing. We saw our wonderful reptile vet in a "start-up" appointment. We are following his directions, including getting online and putting this question out to you all: any suggestions for getting this little one to eat? He additionally suggested brightly colored foods: a few grains of corn chopped, a little pumpkin or sweet potatoes, good dark greens with a sprinkle of tomato juice on, finely chopped cucumber. Any other ideas? Please help.

Carrots - my russkies are crazy for carrots. Grate some over better foods like greens or weeds.

Dandelion flowers - if you have any this time of year.

Yellow squash.

Hibiscus flowers - if you can get them without any chemicals.

Clover flowers - both pink and white.

Be sure to keep him at optimal temperatures.

See www.russiantortoise.net for more info.

When all else fails, iceberg lettuce. It has no nutritional value, infact it's like eating air. But I've never seen a healthy tortoise refuse to eat it. Once it starts eating again it will take other foods.
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Tim Madsen

Nobody cares how much you know,
Until they know how much you care.

Thanks so much for your replies so far. These additional questions came to me while I was lying awake worrying about Irene Niblova (the tortoise, as named by my kids): Where do you all place the food? We have chosen just across the halfway line between warm and cool in her habitat, closer to cool and on the side away from her pile of timothy hay that she likes to hide out in. Maybe it is too close to her hideout? Also, do you all tie placing of food to any other happening in the day that might be noteworthy, ie: just after turning lights on in the morning, or just after a soak/bath? Any other ideas about where and how? I do appreciate the suggestions for what: we tried a smidge of grated carrots and a little iceberg today. Wish us luck!

this is a typical response to a change in scenery. give your tortoise some time to get accustomed to its new surroundings. avoid handling for a few days, make sure the warm temps are warm enough (as brad mentioned, study the russiantortoise.org website). they usually become "secure and confident" in a few days and will eat like there is no tomorrow.

i would give your tortoise at least a week before offering iceberg. tortoises have a tendency to find a favorite and refuse all else. iceberg is one of those favorites. if you have to offer lettuce, start with romaine. i would avoid corn and tomato juice, and stick with dark greens (collards, turnip, curly endive, escarole, spring mix, etc.) for at least the first two weeks.

good luck,

matt

Thanks for your ideas and support. The missing link in the equation (I think)--- the temperature! In addition to adjusting to a new environ., she was cooler in our home than she had been kept at the pet shop we purchased her from. We warmed her habitat up and she perked up, and ate a lovely selection from the spring mix we offered her. We spoke to her vet who said uniform warmth won't necessarily serve her for the long term, but may be the right thing for right now. We have taken that to heart and will continue to tinker with all elements available on an ongoing basis. Phew! Again, many thanks! Until next time....