could shelby be trying to hibernate

anna5471 · 27-03-2009, 01:53 PM

hi all well i went and got a 4yr old horsefield tort which i have called shelby, but since i got her nearly a week ago she hasnt eaten anything at all and has buried into her soil and doesnt come out unless i bring her out which i do every day for a bath. She was in a viv over winter so therefore didnt hibernate at all but i have moved her onto a table set up so i am wondering whether she is trying to hibernate. any suggestions plzz

linda · 27-03-2009, 01:59 PM

what temperatures do you have in the table

wilsonathome · 27-03-2009, 02:03 PM

it could all possibly be down to the fact that she's just settling in

i ditto linda and ask for temps

sandy · 27-03-2009, 03:26 PM

Tortoises can take a while to settle into a new home and routine. Eating is not the important thing at the moment for your tortoise (it might be for you:0) ) but hydration is.
I hope he has clear bright eyes, and a dry nose and moving about, as these are the good signs of a healthy tortoise. If so when food is available and he/she is happy they will eat, as no healthy tortoise will starve when food is around:0)

anna5471 · 27-03-2009, 07:04 PM

temps are 30-32 hot end and 20s cool. i havent seen her drink from the water bowl but i am bathing her every day. she tends to stay out for 10 mins max and then retreats back to her hide and stays there i have been putting fresh food down daily leaving it down all day but she isnt eating it. she does have clear eyes and a dry nose and has been to the loo. i did take her out into the garden the other day and she seemed more active than she is in the house but she didnt even attempt to graze the grass .any other ideas or suggestions welcome

dugy · 27-03-2009, 07:17 PM

worms? possibly.. get her to the vets, best way to check IMO

anna5471 · 27-03-2009, 08:58 PM

she was wormed 2 days ago as routine as i dont know whether she is wc or cb so that was first thing i did. how long do u think i should leave her before i start really panicking. all i really know is she is 4yrs old and has lived in a viv for at least the last year

dugy · 27-03-2009, 09:00 PM

get to a vet would be the sensible option.

alotoffluff · 27-03-2009, 10:00 PM

Some torts do take weeks to settle in, so i wouldnt panic too much at this stage.
Torts take fluids in through their back end so when you are bathing it, it is hydrating itself so dont worry. Some of us have never seen our torts drink.
A healthy tort wont starve, so give her a few days then if no improvement, the vet trip will be in order.
Of course, if you are really worried go to the vets at the earliest convenience, as only the vet will truly put your mind at rest.

Let us know what happens. XX

welshlass22 · 28-03-2009, 08:18 AM

Torts take fluids in through their back end so when you are bathing it, it is hydrating itself so dont worry. Some of us have never seen our torts drink

Wow i didnt know that laura

Yeh my tucker took a week and a half to settle in and eat and get to know his way around the table

so give her a few days to settle.....Like others have said though if your really worried go to a vet

27-03-2009, 01:53 PM	#1
anna5471 Member Egg Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: lincolnshire Posts: 50	could shelby be trying to hibernate hi all well i went and got a 4yr old horsefield tort which i have called shelby, but since i got her nearly a week ago she hasnt eaten anything at all and has buried into her soil and doesnt come out unless i bring her out which i do every day for a bath. She was in a viv over winter so therefore didnt hibernate at all but i have moved her onto a table set up so i am wondering whether she is trying to hibernate. any suggestions plzz __________________ annalou x

27-03-2009, 03:26 PM	#4
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	Tortoises can take a while to settle into a new home and routine. Eating is not the important thing at the moment for your tortoise (it might be for you:0) ) but hydration is. I hope he has clear bright eyes, and a dry nose and moving about, as these are the good signs of a healthy tortoise. If so when food is available and he/she is happy they will eat, as no healthy tortoise will starve when food is around:0) __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

27-03-2009, 07:04 PM	#5
anna5471 Member Egg Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: lincolnshire Posts: 50	temps are 30-32 hot end and 20s cool. i havent seen her drink from the water bowl but i am bathing her every day. she tends to stay out for 10 mins max and then retreats back to her hide and stays there i have been putting fresh food down daily leaving it down all day but she isnt eating it. she does have clear eyes and a dry nose and has been to the loo. i did take her out into the garden the other day and she seemed more active than she is in the house but she didnt even attempt to graze the grass .any other ideas or suggestions welcome __________________ annalou x

27-03-2009, 08:58 PM	#7
anna5471 Member Egg Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: lincolnshire Posts: 50	she was wormed 2 days ago as routine as i dont know whether she is wc or cb so that was first thing i did. how long do u think i should leave her before i start really panicking. all i really know is she is 4yrs old and has lived in a viv for at least the last year __________________ annalou x

28-03-2009, 08:18 AM	#10
welshlass22 Senior Member Adult Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cardiff Posts: 2,260	Torts take fluids in through their back end so when you are bathing it, it is hydrating itself so dont worry. Some of us have never seen our torts drink Wow i didnt know that laura Yeh my tucker took a week and a half to settle in and eat and get to know his way around the table so give her a few days to settle.....Like others have said though if your really worried go to a vet __________________ Joanna

27-03-2009, 01:59 PM	#2
linda Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: west midlands Posts: 17,134	what temperatures do you have in the table

27-03-2009, 02:03 PM	#3
wilsonathome Member Hatchling Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: south wales Posts: 632	it could all possibly be down to the fact that she's just settling in i ditto linda and ask for temps

27-03-2009, 07:17 PM	#6
dugy Member Juvenile Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Posts: 958	worms? possibly.. get her to the vets, best way to check IMO

27-03-2009, 09:00 PM	#8
dugy Member Juvenile Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Posts: 958	get to a vet would be the sensible option.

27-03-2009, 10:00 PM	#9
alotoffluff Senior Member Adult Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: greenwich, london, previously born and brought up in Kent! Posts: 2,127	Some torts do take weeks to settle in, so i wouldnt panic too much at this stage. Torts take fluids in through their back end so when you are bathing it, it is hydrating itself so dont worry. Some of us have never seen our torts drink. A healthy tort wont starve, so give her a few days then if no improvement, the vet trip will be in order. Of course, if you are really worried go to the vets at the earliest convenience, as only the vet will truly put your mind at rest. Let us know what happens. XX

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