Hi I have a tortoise which I bought from a good pet shop about 18 months ago. He has been fine until recently. In the last few weeks he has stopped eating to any great degree and is sleeping almost continuously. He does not even enjoy walking around the house as he used to. I am new to your site so think I may have got a lot wrong!! He is generally housed in a glass acquarium and on occasions does get quite stressed in there. He only really wakes up when put in water to rehydrate him but then falls straight back to sleep. Do I need to get him to a vet? He is certainy not his usual self.
Many thanks for any help you can give.
KIm

Hi Kim,

Would you please advise us what species he is and what diet you are giving him. Have you had a facel sample done to check for worms at all. What is the temperature in his vivarium (cool & warm end). Did he/she come with a license and if so wht is the country of origin. Vivariums are not suitable housing for many species of tortoises - though pet shops recommend them just about every time:-(

Sorry for so many questions, best to try and get as much information in as possible first.

Kindest Regards

Darren

Darren : Thank you for your quick response.  I think he is a Hermann tortoise but he did not come with a license so I do not know his country of origin.  His vivarium is warm at one end and cold at the other.  He is eating vegetables : broccoli occasionally; grated carrot;  romaine lettuce;  rocket;  herbs and tried him with dried purpose bought food but he does not eat it.  He seems to like tomatoes and some fruit occasionally.  I have not had a facel sample done to check for worms.  If you think I should : where to?  Also he is not eating so not much coming out that end either.  Thanks again

Hi Kim, as Darren has said vivariums are not at all suitable to tortoises, he is more than likely too hot in there and cannot escape the heat.  Also all the food you mention is not a suitable diet for a tortoise, he should be fed on weeds such as dandelions, sow thistle etc.

Here is a link to the Hermann care sheet, please read it through and if you have any questions please get back to us http://www.tortoise-protection-group.org.uk/site/88.asp

Regards Vivienne

Vivienne : Thanks for the reply.  I had already printed off the care sheet and it tells me different things to what I was told at the pet shop and the book I bought.  Anyway Timmy has been out of the vivarian for several hours and he has woken up and is tucking into the weeds you suggested : again which I got from your care sheet.  He has had a poo and looks a lot happier.  Thanks again for all your help.

Hi Kim,

If your tortoise is a Hermanns, you should have been provided with an Article 10 for him, a yellow A4 document?

If you've a photo of him we'll happily confirm what species he is?

Here are a few links that may help:-

Ideas for enclosures:-

http://www.tortoise-protection-group.org.uk/site/58.asp?thissection=17

Heating/lighting

http://www.kimbosreptileworld.co.uk/megaray-120w-self-ballasted-p-145.html

These are the best lamp on the market with regards to UVB output and the length of time they last. Most UV lamps tubes supplied by pet shops don't generally do the job....insufficient UVB

Diet:-

http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/site/tortoise_home_1.asp

You can get a free faecal sample check here:-

http://www.tortoise-protection-group.org.uk/site/174.asp

Good Luck with him and please don't hesitate to ask any questions at all

HTH

TC
Darren

Hi Kim, glad to hear you are taking on the advice, pet shops are reknown for giving the wrong advice, to them its all about money, they can get £100+ for the vivarium and accessories and £100+ for the tort, when all you need is a tortoise table that can be easily and cheaply made at home.

Weeds are so much better for them and more natural as in the wild.

As a short term measure could you turn the viv on its back (that is if its the wooden sort and not a glass tank) and take the glass doors off, so it looks like an open box?

A cheap and cheerful enclosure that is very effective is a large rabbit cage, you can hang the lights from the bars, on sunny days it can be carried outside.

Remember its not a good idea to let him walk around your house, they can pick up bits off the floor and eat them, which can block their insides, plus we have had reports of torts been trodden on and killed.  Best to leave them in their indoor enclosures.

Keep up the good work, regards Vivienne