How do you know if your tortoise is blind?
These signs often include a combination of the following behaviours:
- Refusing to eat at all.
- Immobility.
- Moving in circles.
- Head held at an unusual angle (up or down)
- Failing to react to visual stimuli.
- Failure to emerge voluntarily from hibernation.
Do you need to keep an eye on your Russian tortoise?
It’s very important that you are aware of what illnesses Russian tortoises may contract or develop. You need to keep an eye on your tortoise because any changes in appetite, behaviors, or overall routine may indicate an illness is developing. The most common health problems that a Russian tortoise may contract are very minor.
What should I do if my tortoise won’t open his eyes?
Once soaked, dry him off and get him back in his enclosure. Tomorrow get a UVB light or MVB light on him and some cuttle bones for calcium. This is very important. The tortoise will need to see a Herp Vet for some blood work and most likely some Vitiamin shots and calcium shots to get him jump atarted.
What kind of substrate does a Russian tortoise eat?
Using the wrong type of substrate like sand, can cause gut impaction when it gets eaten while alfala pellets substrate can irritate the tortoise’s eyes.
Why is my Russian tortoise missing its cuttlebone?
This is typically caused by an antibiotic. Calcium is very important, and if your Russian tortoise doesn’t absorb enough, a deficiency can cause growth problems in the shell and bones. You may notice an abnormal appearance in the shell and legs. By leaving a cuttlebone in the enclosure, you can reduce the risk of MBD.
How often should I mist my tortoise?
As well as bathing the tortoise regularly you can provide your tortoise with a suitable microclimate to prevent fluid loss from the body. You can do this by making the substrate deep enough so that the tortoise can dig down, and you can mist it daily using a water sprayer.
