Starting to Worry

[Popumosh]

Hey guys, I have a 1 year old spur thighed named Phillip, hes been in my care for about 4 months now, he lives in a large tortoise table with an appropriate lamp that keeps him at about 32 degrees, he has been fine for ages but more recently I've started to notice him going to bed much earlier, his light is set to go off at 8 giving him 8 hours of lamp time but he tends to go to his sleeping section around 5 or 6, I also noticed he doesn't eat quite as much as he used to... Now i'm just wondering if he is ok or if something needs to change, any suggestions are appreciated.

[pagan queen]

Does he have a source of vitamin D3? Do you bath him every day? Does he have water to drink? What do you feed him and does he have any time outside? Has he been checked for worms? Where did you get him from, as in a breeder or a pet shop?

[sandy]

Originally Posted by Popumosh

Hey guys, I have a 1 year old spur thighed named Phillip, hes been in my care for about 4 months now, he lives in a large tortoise table with an appropriate lamp that keeps him at about 32 degrees, he has been fine for ages but more recently I've started to notice him going to bed much earlier, his light is set to go off at 8 giving him 8 hours of lamp time but he tends to go to his sleeping section around 5 or 6, I also noticed he doesn't eat quite as much as he used to... Now i'm just wondering if he is ok or if something needs to change, any suggestions are appreciated.

If this has happened in the last week, when we have had the really hot weather, then he is reacting to the heat. My tortoises at the moment hide away from around 11oclock until around 3-4-30pm as its far too hot for them.
Tortoises also react to light, so if where you are it gets dark or overcast they will also go to bed.
My tortoises routine is they are up around 7am and out in the garden (no extra heat) they graze then bask, then go to sleep. Wake up again around 3pm and graze and bask, but mostly they are back to sleep in their quarters by 5pm. It has been different since we have had the hot weather.

[Popumosh]

Originally Posted by pagan queen

Does he have a source of vitamin D3? Do you bath him every day? Does he have water to drink? What do you feed him and does he have any time outside? Has he been checked for worms? Where did you get him from, as in a breeder or a pet shop?

He has a vitamin and calcium supplement every other day, I bathe his once every 2 days, he tends to drink when he bathes and has acces to water in his house, I feed him Dandelion, certain nettles, kale, lambs lettuce, prickly pear and various weeds, he hasn't been checked for worms and bought from a reputable breeder.

[Popumosh]

Originally Posted by sandy

If this has happened in the last week, when we have had the really hot weather, then he is reacting to the heat. My tortoises at the moment hide away from around 11oclock until around 3-4-30pm as its far too hot for them.
Tortoises also react to light, so if where you are it gets dark or overcast they will also go to bed.
My tortoises routine is they are up around 7am and out in the garden (no extra heat) they graze then bask, then go to sleep. Wake up again around 3pm and graze and bask, but mostly they are back to sleep in their quarters by 5pm. It has been different since we have had the hot weather.

Id say its been around 3 weeks, he was previously waking up and basking then eating basking some more eating again, stomping around for a bit then going to sleep.

[pagan queen]

Originally Posted by Popumosh

He has a vitamin and calcium supplement every other day, I bathe his once every 2 days, he tends to drink when he bathes and has acces to water in his house, I feed him Dandelion, certain nettles, kale, lambs lettuce, prickly pear and various weeds, he hasn't been checked for worms and bought from a reputable breeder.

Does the supplement contain D3 or does he have a UV light? Dandelions and Kale have high levels of Oxalic acid so should be limited. Does he have cool end to get away from the heat of the lamp?
Try bathing him around the time when he's heading off to bed and give him some weeds to eat to once he's warmed up in the bath, see if that makes any difference. Worth a go anyway. Does he wee or poo in the bath and has he been pooing as normal?

[CherryBrandy]

Any weight loss at all? I agree with sandy , mine too tend to follow a routine. I can set my clock my two of mine as they go to bed 3.30 most days rain or shine, but hot weather now 11.00 ish onwards. A couple are up wanting to feed now but won't be for long. personally I think 12 hours light time indoors may be a little long, in this heat too he may not be able to escape it. Keep us posted but sounds like he is just adjusting to ambient temps.

[sandy]

If your tortoise has other signs such as a wet nose or weeping eyes, sunken eyes or gaping, then you need a tortoise vet.