Re: New addition too shy and not eating well

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Posted by Passport on April 18, 2003 at 07:59:59:

In Reply to: Re: New addition too shy and not eating well posted by edmund on April 18, 2003 at 07:38:58:

::I have a new yearling Burm Mountain Tortoise. She is not adjusting well after arrival 9 days ago. Seems she is only confortable in the dark which I know is typical of juvies but food doesn't seem high on her list. She had pooped a lot in her shipping box so I know she had been eating well. I am putting food inside her hidey but still don't see a dent in the food. I am concerned and looking for reassurance or advice. Thanks.

:
:Is she WC or CB? If WC, get her to a vet (if you're not comfortable doing it yourself) and get her checked for parasites. Imported burms usually arrive in horrible shape even if, to the eye, they may look OK.
:If she's CB, make sure she's well hydrated and that the ambient humidity in her pen is high -say around 80% or so. Give her a hide box and fill it with dampish cypress mulch. These guys -esp. the little ones, like it on the damp side. Also, what are you feeding her? Try collards for greens (mine go nuts for collards) and live earthworms to really coax her into eating. Also Mazuri diet (moistened), cooked sweet potato, melon, squash,etc. And don't keep her too warm -ambient temps of 70F should be fine with a basking spot of 85-90F. They also like to soak, so give her a tub for soaking.
:In my experience, young burms are always shy and need a hide box to feel secure. they also don't like to eat with an audience, so give her her food, then try to observe her as inconspicuosly as possible.
:These are terrific animals! Keep us posted please.

Thanks. I was told that she is captive bred. She is about 5" and weighs 6.5oz. So if she is truly a yearling then she is a good weight, I think. I caught her eating "a little" once. But that was a few days ago. I'm feeding as you posted because I have several other torts. Temps match also. So I'll just be patient and continue on. If no improvement in a couple weeks I'll take her for check-up. But I don't see any indication by observing her. Nose is dry. Eyes clear and bright. She seems so insecure and I think maybe shipping her has increased her stress. Edmund, after seeing pics of yours I really wanted to experience one also. Thanks for your advice. I'll keep you posted.

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