Please help

[Patmufc]

Hey. I am quite worried about my Hermans tortoise. I have had her since November and she is 5 years old, did my research and everything but no experience with them before. She just seems to sleep all day and isn't eating very much. Quite lathargic. Is this normal or should I be worried.
Thanks alot.

[den_bish]

Hello!
What sort of set up have you got, temps, lighting etc?
Have you ever had him wormed?
What are you feeding him?

I know it's a lot of questions but the info will help guide you in the right direction!

Welcome to the forum by the way !

[Patmufc]

Thanks for the reply. I have her in an open top tortoise table but it has a big hide where she sleeps. It is a bit small as it is what she came to me in and ipplan to get a new one. The heat lamp is hot enough but not sure of the exact temps. I also have a UV bulb. I haven't had her wormed as I have her only a few months but im sure she has been before as she is 5 years old. I feed her things like cucumber, broccoli, kale, rocket, watercress, spinach and spring greens. Hope this gives you a bit more info thanks.

[den_bish]

Ok, first things first you must go and get a thermometer, a digital one is best as it very important to know the basking temps (directly beneath the lamp) and the ambient temp of the rest of the enclosure as too either too hot of too cold can make them lethargic and off of their food.
Was he hibernated this year and if so when did he 'wake up'?
Food wise he would be better off with weeds and appropriate plants rather than shop bought stuff there is a sticky at the top of the page which will give you better ideas - the stuff you are feed in great for a treat but not all of the time.

If after you get the temps right (32 C ish under the lamp and 22 C ish in the cooler areas) and he is still not eating you could consider getting him wormed by a reptile vet as again this can also lower the appetite.

Also just thought what is the % of the UV lamp? it should be at least 10%

Hope that helps

[Patmufc]

Thanks alot for the reply. I was just worried because I use a 60w bulb which is what I have always used and she has been fine. But i will get a digi thermometer and she wasn't hibernated because I bought her in november and she was awake.I wouldn't have anyway because I heard if the temp is perfect she can die?
About food, I know she needs weeds, i sometimes give her fresh dandelion leaves from my garden but that is it. I have no idea where to get all these weeds I have never heard of. How do I find out what % the UV is. Sorry if I sound deadstupid but I have never kept a tortoise b4 and just want a healthy, happy one.
Thanks alot for the feedback.

[naomij]

pat, go onto shelled warriors and buy loads of weeds from seeds, very cheap, i have planted loads on pots and will plant more when the pen is complete straight into the ground. i plan to keep growing in pots over winter in the shed so he has loads to see him through

[den_bish]

I grow a lot of weeds from seeds as well, it has the added advantage of you being able to identify the right ones in the wild so to speak once you have seen what they look like!
The % of your UV bulb sould be on it, so wait for it to cool down and take it out and have a look.
It might well be that the temps are fine but it's easier to rule out the simple stuff first!
Also are you using any supplements on the food - calcium carbonate or lime stone flour is a must and a supplement such as Nutrobal is reccomended too, I use calcium sprinkled lightly onto the food one day and Nutrobal the next
And you don't sound dead stupid - we all asked these questions once!

[Patmufc]

Thanks so much for the reply. I will defiantley get some seeds 2nite. The UV doesn't have a % but says Exo Terra 15w Repti Sun 5.0. I some times put some nutrobal on her food but will do it more often if it helps.
I might get slated for this but i usually use reptle safe wood chipping but I ran out so I just used some Tesco wood shavings/sawdust. Is this ok or should I change it. Thanks alot.

[naomij]

i followed advice on here and usetop soil which is so cheap from b and q etc, i did mix sand with it the 1st time but it agrivated his eyes so now i use just the soil

[den_bish]

The 5.0 means it is only a 5% bulb, you really should think about increasing that to a 10%.
Good to hear that you are goingt o use the Nutrobal more often, as I say I use it every other day - are you using calcium powder too as that is very important to maintain her shell.
I personally wouldn't use wood chips / shavings or sawdust as torts have a tendancy to eat bits and pieces that this could cause a problem. I use aspen for the bedding area and readigrass but am seriously thinking about going back to topsoil for at least 1/2 of the enclosure. Most of these things can be bought online or locally and not very expensive.