My 4-month Horsefield tortoise is inactive and won't eat. Why?

He could be going into hibernation or he could be getting ill. It is hard to say just based on your description. His symptoms are very vague. I suggest you refer to this article on husbandry and be sure you are doing everything absolutely 100% correct for him - from diet and lighting to temperature and housing. If everything is right, then I suggest you get him to a reptile veterinarian for an exam. ( https://www.horsefieldtortoise.co.uk/ )

Thanks for reaching out about Marshall. Anorexia can be caused by many things including inappropriate husbandry/diet, metabolic disorders (liver, kidney), intestinal parasites or infection, just to name a few. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Check and correct husbandry parameters including temperature and UVB exposure. Good luck.

Check the temperature in the enclosure. Low temps can affect activity and appetite in reptiles. You can soak her in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 15-20 minutes once orb twice a week. This will provide warmth and hydration. Offer a variety of dark, leafy greens, chopped vegetables and commercial pellets. She will also need UVB lighting, a powdered multivitamin and a powdered calcium supplement. Set up a heat lamp to provide a basking area on one side of the tank. There should be an appropriate temperature gradient across the tank so she can move from warm to cool as she needs. If you can provide the species of tortoise, more specific advice can be provided.

One of the most common reasons for a reptile to have a decreased or absent appetite is because of husbandry. I would recommend starting there, and ensuring that the husbandry is as perfect as possible. Often times, even seemingly minor things can make a big difference for a reptile. For example, it looks like your turtle has a glass enclosure from the picture (I apologize if this is not the case), and often this can be stressful for them as they don't understand the concept of glass. It is recommended to keep them in opaque/non-see-through containers, such as turtle tables or large Rubbermaid containers for example. Alternatively, this may also be a problem that started before you acquired Hades. Reptiles can take a long time to get sick, and then when they show their signs of illness, it can seem to come on suddenly. Due to this, I would recommend taking Hades in for an examination with a veterinarian, as this is a good idea for any new pet, including turtles! At the visit, your veterinarian will go over the husbandry for Hades, and can make recommendations. Additionally, they may recommend radiographs (x-rays) to look at bone quality, as metabolic bone disease is very common in reptiles. They may also recommend blood work and/or a fecal sample as part of a wellness exam to look for any signs of infection, anemia (low red blood cells), to look at organ function, and to evaluate the feces for parasites. If you would like to try husbandry changes first, and want to talk about Hades further prior to your veterinary visit, I would be happy to do a consult with you. I hope this gives you a place to start!

Check the temps in the enclosure. Low temps can affect appetite in reptiles. A soak in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte can provide warmth and treat or prevent minor dehydration. The loose scutes may be normal shedding or not. An exam would be needed to diagnose any underlying cause. If the condition does not improve, have your tortoise examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. If you need to find a vet, use the link below. https://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661

Check the temperature across the enclosure. Low temps can affect activity, appetite and digestion in reptiles. Expect Raph to be a bit skittish in his new home. Make sure he has fresh food and clean water. Give him a week or so to "settle in". When around the cage, move slowly and speak softly. Being that he is "new", he should be examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to make sure the runny nose is not due to a developing respiratory infection.

Check the temperature in the enclosure. Low temps can affect appetite in reptiles. He could also be a bit stressed by the change in environment. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 20-30 minutes. This will warm him up while providing hydration. Dice greens and vegetables finely to make eating easier.