newbie - horsefield queries, help please

freida138 · 22-01-2015, 04:48 PM

Hi, I purchased a one year old horsefield yesterday and he seemed happy enough at first. Controversially he's in a viv, basking temp 95 degrees with a cooler end. Today he wakes easily if you wake him, but otherwise just goes headfirst into a corner and sleeps. He's had a bath but not eaten today. Is this normal please?

GemJam · 23-01-2015, 08:38 PM

Hi and welcome to the forum,

I have a young Hermann's tortoise in a table, rather than a viv. And when I first got her she took a few months to start eating properly, it was a great worry for me as she was losing weight. Now she won't stop eating! However most tortoises (I understand) will take days/weeks to settle into their new home. Was yours kept in a viv before you got him?
I would definitely recommend bathing everyday as it gives them the opportunity to drink (Which is essential) and stimulate them, I'm sure there are more reasons, that someone more knowledgeable will comment on. I now bathe mine twice a week, minimum.
It is always nerve racking in the first few weeks and months, but once your tort settles things tend to go a bit smoother.

And congratulations on becoming a tortoise owner.

fifi and the flowertorts · 23-01-2015, 10:13 PM

Hello and welcome to the forum.

As Gemma has said, it can take a while for a tortoise to settle into their new home. You could try to temp her with food she is used to or add cucumber juice to the new food.

Have fun being owned by a tort

becciwales · 23-01-2015, 10:50 PM

Hellooooo, I agree, they take a few days or weeks to settle in. My latest babies took about 4 weeks to get themselves up. Before that I had to hunt and dig them up (they bury very well) and they'd eat then dig down again xx

Catwoman63 · 24-01-2015, 08:53 AM

I agree with the above, it takes a few weeks for some new tortoises to get used to being in a new home x

freida138 · 26-01-2015, 04:52 PM

Thank you everyone. Taco seems much happier now, he wakes easily from his sleep/naps and is feeding very well. He has daily baths but his shell looks a bit flaky....

becciwales · 26-01-2015, 10:58 PM

Can you post a pic? x

You need to have 5 posts first I believe. Comment on a few posts then try

Do you know how? You need to use a host site such as photobucket xx

22-01-2015, 04:48 PM	#1
freida138 Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 3	newbie - horsefield queries, help please Hi, I purchased a one year old horsefield yesterday and he seemed happy enough at first. Controversially he's in a viv, basking temp 95 degrees with a cooler end. Today he wakes easily if you wake him, but otherwise just goes headfirst into a corner and sleeps. He's had a bath but not eaten today. Is this normal please?

23-01-2015, 08:38 PM	#2
GemJam Member Incubating Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Leicestershire, UK Posts: 123	Hi and welcome to the forum, I have a young Hermann's tortoise in a table, rather than a viv. And when I first got her she took a few months to start eating properly, it was a great worry for me as she was losing weight. Now she won't stop eating! However most tortoises (I understand) will take days/weeks to settle into their new home. Was yours kept in a viv before you got him? I would definitely recommend bathing everyday as it gives them the opportunity to drink (Which is essential) and stimulate them, I'm sure there are more reasons, that someone more knowledgeable will comment on. I now bathe mine twice a week, minimum. It is always nerve racking in the first few weeks and months, but once your tort settles things tend to go a bit smoother. And congratulations on becoming a tortoise owner. __________________ Gemma 1 Hermanns Tortoise - Hettie

23-01-2015, 10:13 PM	#3
fifi and the flowertorts Member Hatchling Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Solihull west mids Posts: 501	Hello and welcome to the forum. As Gemma has said, it can take a while for a tortoise to settle into their new home. You could try to temp her with food she is used to or add cucumber juice to the new food. Have fun being owned by a tort __________________ Fi x 2:0:0 Horsfields 0:2:0 Tunisian Spur thighs 2 cats 2 dogs 4 Kids and a hubby

23-01-2015, 10:50 PM	#4
becciwales Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Wales Posts: 3,438	Hellooooo, I agree, they take a few days or weeks to settle in. My latest babies took about 4 weeks to get themselves up. Before that I had to hunt and dig them up (they bury very well) and they'd eat then dig down again xx __________________ Becci 1:2:0 Testudo Hermanni Boettgeri - Darwin, Galileo, and Einstein. Archimedes (THB) RIP June, 2018

24-01-2015, 08:53 AM	#5
Catwoman63 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: South East England Posts: 6,739	I agree with the above, it takes a few weeks for some new tortoises to get used to being in a new home x __________________ BEV XXX 0.3.0 - T Horsfieldii (Xena, Zelda & Lilly) 2.2.0 - TG Terrestris (Zeus, Astreus / Zagreus & Alexia) 1.2.0 - Zebra Finches (Gunner / Bonnie & May) 0.1.0 - SBT (Hazel) 1.0.0 - FBD (Ted)

26-01-2015, 04:52 PM	#6
freida138 Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 3	Thank you everyone. Taco seems much happier now, he wakes easily from his sleep/naps and is feeding very well. He has daily baths but his shell looks a bit flaky....

26-01-2015, 10:58 PM	#7
becciwales Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Wales Posts: 3,438	Can you post a pic? x You need to have 5 posts first I believe. Comment on a few posts then try Do you know how? You need to use a host site such as photobucket xx __________________ Becci 1:2:0 Testudo Hermanni Boettgeri - Darwin, Galileo, and Einstein. Archimedes (THB) RIP June, 2018

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