Help!   We have just adopted an 18 month old Horsefield Tortoise that came from a very well respected reptile specialist.   We purchased a vivarium and everything needed for our tortoise from the same shop.   As we are unable to maintain a steady temperature in our home it was recommended to keep him in a vivarium rather than a table.   When we got him home and set up all seemed fine and he explored his new home energetically.   However it has now been 4 days and all he seems to do is sleep under his bark.   He has eaten very little and drank even less,  and we are now beginning to worry.   Can anyone tell us if this is normal and he just needs time to adjust,  or do we potentially have something to worry about?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Hello,

Hi  Tom

We bought him from a reptile shop in Norfolk that was recommend to us.   It  has been established for nearly 20 years.

We  have been keeping the heat light on 24 hours maintaining a constant 29/30 degrees at the warm end and about 24/25 degrees at the cooler end.   The vivarium is in our lounge away from any drafts about 2 feet off the ground.  At  present the room is about 20 degrees.   Our heating is electric storage heaters so it is very difficult to maintain a constant room temperature,  especially with the weather outside as it is.

Food wise each day he is only eating a couple of pellets of dampened T-Rex Tortoise dry formula,  or a couple of bites of fresh baby salad leafs.   He did eat a little grated carrot last night,  but again,  only a few shreads.

Hope this helps diagnose our issue.

James

Thanks James,

Do you need lighting advice for the 'table' ?