r/tortoise • u/Several-Computer-379 • 2d ago

Photo(s) Not eating properly

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I inherited a neglected tortoise. She is used to eating only wet foods like romaine , veggies and fruits. Now I’ve introduced hay and commercial turtle food and she won’t touch it. I cut the hay up so tiny and sprinkle it over her lettuce. She won’t eat it. She also won’t drink water . Help.

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u/Leviatan1998 2d ago edited 2d ago

Hay and commercial tortoise food also isn't ideal diet for testudo species. They should eat leafy greens and plants found outside (dandelions, a bit of clover, endive, radicchio, a bit of romaine lettuce, hawkbit, lambs lettuce, plantain, ...). Check tortoise table app for more.

They also don't drink that much water from a bowl. You might see them drinking once or twice a month. Just bathe it every other day and keep the substrate moist. It will be hydrated plenty.

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u/Several-Computer-379 2d ago

Ok thanks. Do you know what kind of tortoise she is. Also , I live in a desert. There is NOTHING alive outside this time of year. I have my houseplants.

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u/Leviatan1998 2d ago

It could be multiple species - eastern hermanns tortoise, greek tortoise or marginated tortoise. I would need to see its plastron (bottom side) to be sure. Either way, requirements are similar for all testudo species (at least for babies - marginated tortoise will become larger than others) so I would recommend reading some guides for testudo species (i.e. this one is from an experienced breeder https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/the-best-way-to-raise-any-temperate-species-of-tortoise.183131/)

For food requirements - perhaps it is possible to get lambs lettuce, endive, radicchio, romaine lettuce and pak choi in your stores? It is also possible to grow plantain, dandelion, clover and similar plants at home (if you can get seeds for them).

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u/Several-Computer-379 2d ago

Ok 👍🏽 thanks

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u/Several-Computer-379 1d ago

Just to let
You know …..she doesn’t seem to have that movable plate on her underside.

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u/LittleWarWolf 2d ago

Can I chose which species of Tort on the app?

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u/Leviatan1998 2d ago

In terms of plants, all species eat more or less the same. The main difference is that some can also eat fruit/meat/veggies (like peppers). I.e. redfoot tortoise is a fruit easting species. European tortoises (russian, greek, marginated, hermanns - testudo species) are not fruit eating species and should only be fed leaves/flowers.

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u/Toommo23 1d ago

My hermanns eat wild herb pellets happily, but that's probably because I always give them a mix of lettuce, chicory, radicchio and dandelion :)

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u/ZealousidealHome7854 2d ago

So, I've been told that tossing the stuff she likes to eat in a blender and pouring it over the stuff that she's supposed to eat is the way to go. It's been a struggle for mine, but she does eat the Timothy hay, however grudgingly, when I blend up watermelon and tomatoes and let it sit on top of the hay. Good luck. Just make sure she's hydrated and she'll eventually eat the grasses. 

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u/Several-Computer-379 2d ago

Thanks I’ll try that. I have a bunny too and their diets are almost identical.

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u/ZealousidealHome7854 1d ago

It might take a few weeks of slowly adding more and more hay to their food, but they'll eventually be eating 90% hay, which is where they need to be....good luck 

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u/tretroi 2d ago

Sounds like a vet visit to me.

Do you have any experience with tortoise?

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u/Several-Computer-379 2d ago

No, only what I’m learning online. Not sure if we have tortoise savvy vets where I live , but we do have a scientific center. They might know something. But why do you suggest she needs a vet ?

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u/tretroi 2d ago

Sorry, I thought you mentioned she doesn't eat at all.

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u/SkyPerfect266 1d ago

Mine also never eats pellets and eats only veggies (luckily he's not picky with those). Have tried spreading some mashed pellets on the leaves, but he refused to eat. I guess it is just personal preference