Re: Russian Tortoise - Picky eater or is it the heat?THANKS KATHY

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Tortoise Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Leslie on August 08, 2000 at 12:38:54:

In Reply to: Re: Russian Tortoise - Picky eater or is it the heat?AESTIVATION? posted by KATHY on August 07, 2000 at 21:22:52:

Thanks Kathy, no matter what Site I Went to Aestivation was never explained so clearly as how you just explained. and it makes a lot of sense too! Sounds like that is kinda what my tort is doing. He has been around for almost 2 months now and with the information that you and Brad provided, everything seems to make sense.

He did eat like a pig (and I am sure he was WC) when we got him... probably a starving little thing - and was given the wrong foods) So when I got him - he was probably trying to catch up.

And I can totally understand that in the wild in hot temps that food is more rare than in wetter temps. So now he is snoozing more in the heat and eating less.

You guys make a lot of sense... THANKS SO MUCH
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

: Leslie,
: In the wild, when the temps get higher, the food supply dwindles and torts will sometimes use this period to 'reserve' their energy and wait for the temps to cool. This is aestivation. Their slumber is not like a winter hibernation; they can easily be woken and will sometimes wander out for food and drink. If your guy is new to you, maybe from a pet store, he may be freshly wild caught. His body may be telling him it's time to 'slow it down.' I still recommend a vet check to rule out health reasons, but if given a clean bill of health, wouldn't worry too much about it.
: Kathy
: Arizona

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: Thanks Kathy, no matter what Site I Went to Aestivation was never explained so clearly as how you just explained. and it makes a lot of sense too! Sounds like that is kinda what my tort is doing. He has been around for almost 2 months now and with the information that you and Brad provided, everything seems to make sense. : He did eat like a pig (and I am sure he was WC) when we got him... probably a starving little thing - and was given the wrong foods) So when I got him - he was probably trying to catch up. : And I can totally understand that in the wild in hot temps that food is more rare than in wetter temps. So now he is snoozing more in the heat and eating less. : You guys make a lot of sense... THANKS SO MUCH : - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - : : : Leslie, : : In the wild, when the temps get higher, the food supply dwindles and torts will sometimes use this period to 'reserve' their energy and wait for the temps to cool. This is aestivation. Their slumber is not like a winter hibernation; they can easily be woken and will sometimes wander out for food and drink. If your guy is new to you, maybe from a pet store, he may be freshly wild caught. His body may be telling him it's time to 'slow it down.' I still recommend a vet check to rule out health reasons, but if given a clean bill of health, wouldn't worry too much about it. : : Kathy : : Arizona

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Tortoise Forum ] [ FAQ ]