Will a tortoise die without a heat lamp?
Heatstroke can cause permanent brain damage or even death if not treated immediately. Tortoises are no different. That’s why you don’t keep the heat light on for 24 hours, unless it’s unnaturally cold where you live. If tortoises spend too much time under the sun without any shelter, they will die of exposure.
When to call the vet for a tortoise?
If your efforts prove futile, then it’s time to call the vet, both because of the potential for death by malnutrition and/or the underlying reason for it in the first place. The reason for a tortoise to be put off its food tends to stem from one of the following:
Why is my tortoise not eating its food?
The reason for a tortoise to be put off its food tends to stem from one of the following: Stress resulting from a perceived unsafe environment (eg. other animals close-by that might be seen as a threat, or recent relocation of the tortoise’s home to unfamiliar surroundings
Is it normal for a tortoise to want to eat after hibernation?
The first thing to stress is, as mentioned before, it may well take a bit of time for the tortoise to want to eat, up to 14 days can be completely normal. You will of course be able to gauge far better what is normal if you’ve put your tortoise into hibernation before.
How often should I Feed my tortoise every day?
I’ve found the best way to determine the right amount of food to provide a tortoise every day is the tried and tested method of providing a large amount, and then noting how much is eaten by the tortoise within 20 to 30 minutes. You can then provide this same tailored amount every day. Simple!
Why did my tortoise stop eating while on holiday?
Tortilla was staying at my mums for 2 weeks while I went on holiday. She stopped eating a day before we picked her up. We just assumed she was full. But she hasn’t ate much since she’s got back home. She’ll have a little munch, but not eat how she used to.
If your efforts prove futile, then it’s time to call the vet, both because of the potential for death by malnutrition and/or the underlying reason for it in the first place. The reason for a tortoise to be put off its food tends to stem from one of the following:
What to do if your tortoise is not eating or drinking?
If you’re not sure that the ambient temperature in your tortoise’s enclosure is correct then get yourself a decent thermometer to check, and if it’s not high enough (both during the day and at night) see what you can do to make sure it is; for example with a more powerful heat bulb, or a heat mat in addition to your existing heat bulb.
I’ve found the best way to determine the right amount of food to provide a tortoise every day is the tried and tested method of providing a large amount, and then noting how much is eaten by the tortoise within 20 to 30 minutes. You can then provide this same tailored amount every day. Simple!
