A BIG problem with my Star Tortoise

Hello, I am Akanksha. 4 days ago I found a small Star Tortoise in my uncle's farmhouse and I took it home. It was very quiet and shy the first day and the next day he became a bit friendly. We gave him all sorts of vegges- Carrot, Leaves, Tomato and Lady Finger. But the only vegetable he chose to eat was lady finger. Ok. He eats like, 1-2 lady finger a day, and nothing else. He sleeps in a corner and seems active though but still sometimes I feel he is weak inside. Our city doesnt have any vet which cures tortoises so I cant take my tortoise there.I researched about a star tortoise on the internet and found that it should not be given seeds,as it has proteins,so keeping this in mind I remove all seeds from the lady finger before giving it to my tortoise. Also, he should be given vitamins and calcium plus mineral mix powder. UVB lamp is very important too, and basking is a necessity.But the problem is that we live in a flat and so we dont have any basking area for him. I keep him in the home with my light on and soon even may be today I'm going to bring him the fluroscent lamp and a bulb of 40 watts for basking. Yesterday (6-5-09) I got him calcium and vitamin D3 supplement tablets, mineral mix powder and Vitamin A and B12 syrup (these all are for animals). I cut some lady fingers and mixed these medicines into it. My tortoise came near it, smelled it, ate one or two slices (about 0.5cm big)went away and sat in a corner. He didnt eat the food then. Today also when I gave him 2 lady fingers(with those suplements mixed in it), and he didnt eat it. He smelled it for some seconds and went off. I became worried. My mom advised me to give him some plain lady fingers, without anything mixed in it,like I used to do earlier. I did and he happily ate the whole food (i.e 1 lady finger cut into 0.5 cm small pieces without any seeds).I got to know that he hates vitamin and calcium powder that I mix in his lady finger.Most of the time he is asleep in a corner, especially after eating and the other time he is roaming. I did keep a lukewarm water shallow dish near him, but he never seems to be drinking. Though he sits in it for a while sometimes.I give him a bath everyday,with lukewarm water and that time he urinates and defaecates. I know that its normal to happen. I have some really worthy questions now, please

answer each of them by correct number. I'm waiting please...:


1.Is it okay for my tortoise to spend most of his time (minimum 12 hrs)sleeping in a corner?

2.What do I do to supply him vitamins and minerals and calcium because he does not like them when sprinkled on his lady fingers?

3.Does my tortoise drink his water given to him? Because he does urinate, but I never saw him drinking.

4.Would a simple fluroscent lamp (cfl) would work for him instead of UVB lamp because here not many shops have UVB lamps?.

5.Is it okay for him just to eat lady fingers only because he likes and eats only lady fingers and no other vegetable. Will only and only lady finger consuming harm him in any way?

6.Am I doing wrong if I am making him bath in lukewarm water every morning? Should I do it in 2-3 days or even regular bath is good?

7.What are the symptoms of an ILL tortoise?

8.What are the symptoms of an UNHAPPY tortoise?

9.Do star tortoiss hibernate? If yes,then where and at what age?

10.What is the best way to keep a tortoise happy?

11.Is it okay to take him with us in some other city for some days, since we have an event there and I cant afford to leave my tortoise alone at our home for 10 days.

12.What if my star tortoise falls down once or twice, say from a height of 1 foot, he has fallen once but he seems to be really okay,and no wound was there.

13.Is my tortoise a healthy tortoise? He seems to be happy and normal but sometimes avoids food,but then still I make him eat it all.

14.How many times a tortiose should be fed in a day? I'm talking about a baby star tortoise of around 1 year and I'm asking about the quantity of food to be given to him in Grams each day.

15.How to make my tortoise bath in a betadine solution? I read it on a website that once a week a tortoise must be washed in a betadine solution which looks like weak tea. BUT HOW? Wont it affect his eyes or mouth?
--------------------------------------------

Thanks a lot for your time. I would really appreciate your answers. Please number them same as the question numbers. I'm really very worried about my star tortoise as it's just been 5 days since I got him, and I dont know what was his lifestyle there in the farmhouse. I really want to know all these answers, as I love tortoises and I want mine to be the happiest one.

Please Reply Soon !!
Waiting for your worthy answers.
Akanksha


Comments for A BIG problem with my Star Tortoise

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Sep 05, 2022
 A BIG HELP
by: Anonymous

hi, I read this page and hey, I realized that the same thing happened with one of my 2 tortoises. He LOVES lady - finger and he used to eat not much but that was pretty much all he ate so i continued giving it to him mixed with cucumber, tomatoes and carrot. A few months later, i realized he stopped eating at all ! So, i took him to a vet nearby. The vet told me he had a serious problem and needed to be hospitalised and fed with a pipe for the rest of his life ! I got him a blood test done, and the doc told me to stop feeding him lady finger and try different kinds of lettuce instead. I ordered lettuce from amazon fresh ( easily available ) 5 DIFFERENT KINDS and BOTH my tortoises love the lettuce more than lady finger !! No need to add any calciam they wont eat it bcs of the smell. I feed them ladyfinger mixed with lettuce, carrot and tomatoes once a month but NOT regularly. ( don't feed iceburg lettuce any other is fine ) I really hope i was helpful. I helped bcs I know the pain that the tortoises and the owner goes through. thank you!
May 06, 2021
 Lady finger
by: Saniya

Even my star tortoise doesn’t eat anything else.. it loves lady finger.
Aug 05, 2020
 Hii
by: Anonymous

Unhappy tortoise always wants to hide himself in corners of house facing towards corners so he cant see any one.
A happy tortoise always keeps his head high very curious to new things specially heigh ground levels they love to climb on ups and down surfaces whole day if they are happy if unhappy he will sleep in corner whole day night.

Simple CFL or tradicional 100 w bulb will not work as uvb bulb.how ever traditional incandecent bulb can be used as heat bulb in winter days.

Buy a uvb+uv bulb from amazon it will cost u around 1300 indian rupee or 20 - 25 $

U can feed small peices of lady finger or cucummer every time he finishes.give one or two peice at a time.giving so many peices at a time will end up with dust and soil on it and if tortoise eats soil with his food it may create internal blockages. which may be fatal
Jan 18, 2019
 My Tortoise is under the same condition
by: Prapul Kumar

I do wanted to contact you Ms. Akanksha, any social media.
I had consulted a veterinary Dr. But they aren't clear with doing what.
So PLEASE respond me in Social media.

Shelly speaking here. People can answer here.
Jul 14, 2018
 I could answer those
by: Anonymous

There is a lot of questions which takes a lot of time to answer them... Could you text mE?

Shelly replies: No, there is no texting from here.
May 07, 2018
 my star tortoise is not eating anything please help me out
by: Anonymous

i bought it 10days ago first three days it did not eat anything .later two to three days it ate very well .then again it stopped eating.it is just walking away from.the food please any one help me out with this problem
Mar 31, 2018
 my startortoies is not having food
by: Anonymous

my tortoies is small i guss it is 1year old it is not having food sincs i got that home its been 8 days 1st it was active but now it is sleep more in the day time and one is leg became aa bit light pink color
what should i do to make that eat food ?? plzz help me how to take care of it
my tortoies is indiastar tortoies
Jan 07, 2018
 hi akansha
by: ujas patel

Hi i have lady tortoise too.my english is very weak so sorry.i think u leave in india (from your name)in india no need to uvv bulb becuase here atmosphere is very warm ,and my tortoise eats cucumber alot then ladyfinger,tommatos,choli and i got my tortoise from local farm like u so your tortoise definitely eat cucumberđź‘Ť
Oct 29, 2017
 star tortoise cant open his eye
by: Apoorva

Hi everyone
I have a star tortoise he is 1 year old.
Since few days he was not eating anything and he is having problem in opening his eyes.
He ate a little yesterday but he is having problem in opening his eyes. Please suggest what is wrong with him we all are worried.
Sep 29, 2017
 RUNNING NOSE
by: Anonymous

my star tortoise is having running nose during night. since last 4 days.
its with me for more than 2 years now.
sunddeny nasal discharge has started.
please help me.
it is transparent and less sticky.
Jul 18, 2017
 tortoise not drinking
by: Anonymous

A tortoise should have access to water every day. Offer a daily soak. The water should reach no higher than the bottom of the shell. Even if the tortoise does not drink the water, it will take some in through body cavities and skin.
Jul 15, 2017
 Tortoise problem
by: Parul

They don't like lady fingers but some tines its ok and they like only seeds of lady fingers and other green leafy vegetables also they don't drink water too so what should i do for it
Jul 03, 2017
 Organ coming from turtle or tortoise
by: Anonymous

You are talking about a prolapse.

Please see a vet.
Jun 23, 2017
 My 2 yr indian star tortoise
by: Radhika

My 2 years indian star tortoise remove pink coloured organ while peeing . Is there anythng serious?
Jun 13, 2017
 Food
by: TOUFIQUE

My start turtel jst eat lady finger every day i jst feed lady finger....every day eating jst lady finger is good of health or not..its will not cause any problem to them
May 09, 2017
 Star indian tortoise
by: Anonymous

My tortoise not eating last 5 days and there eye not open last 7 days plz give me direction wt can i do for it
Feb 18, 2017
 No worry
by: Anonymous

Every onee who has star indian tort give him a warm bath every day for 30 mins bcozz it will help them to bee activee and give them sunlight which is not more hot bcoz they will only go into aa shadow place where they look like comfortable and after giving bath....then feed them bcoz after getting a warm bath they bcome more active as compared to without bathing andd....provide them lady finger after removing der seeds its harmfull for them to having more seed which will give them white potty (latrine) so dnt be worry every tortoise are lazy mainly the female one is more lazy comparitiely to male
Feb 06, 2017
 india star tortoise
by: madhu

hii my star tortoise left leg as dameged is not walking pls help me
Nov 08, 2016
 Star Tortoise
by: Harshada S

I have a 1.5 years old Indian Star Tort, got him around 3 months back though healthy, sleeps a lot, drinks water and eats only ladies finger, does not eat anything for 3-4 days at a stretch if not given lady' finger. I tried coriander, de-seeded french beans, tomatoes, carrot, apple but he will simply refuse by simply withdrawing inside and not coming out till ladies finger is not given. Otherwise he defecates and urinates properly. I give him 15 minutes of sun after which he hides inside his "home" in the glassbox which we made for him. Other than being sleepy and stubborn of his likes and dislikes he is growing good too. M i doing the right thing, he loves his alternate day warm water baths too soaks in real nice. Please advice.
Jul 18, 2016
 Indian star turtle question
by: Divya

My star turtle is not eating its food frm past momts n not even moving frm one place to another it jst sits the whole day keeping its eyes close eat to do pls help
Jun 25, 2016
 answers
by: abhinav

1.if u hv a baby star tortoise it will sleep for more hours as compare to adult once......its okie if ur baby tortoise is sleeping for 12hrs.
May 26, 2016
 The help you need
by: Shelly

If you cannot provide natural sunlight, you must provide proper lighting. Here is a link you with the information you need: http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/lighting.html. Without proper lighting, a tortoise will die a slow and horrible death.

Keep it slow and steady.
May 26, 2016
 indian star tortoise
by: hi everyone help me plz

my indian star is not basking under nature sunlight and most of time he/her spend inside in hidout only plz help me
May 01, 2016
 What if the female has running nose?
by: Anonymous

is it okay to feed the stars on seedless beans? and if yes then how often? and wat to be done for treating a nasal discharge?
Feb 23, 2016
 star tortise
by: Anonymous

how to cure cold for star tortise
Nov 30, 2015
 sick tortoise
by: Anonymous

Your tortoise is very ill. Please take it to a vet as soon as possible.

If you don't, it will die.
Nov 30, 2015
 Torties
by: Anonymous

Why dose my torties move and its shell feels skwishy
Sep 21, 2015
 Dear Akanksha
by: Anonymous



1.Is it okay for my tortoise to spend most of his time (minimum 12 hrs)sleeping in a corner?
Yes. They sleep a lot

2.What do I do to supply him vitamins and minerals and calcium because he does not like them when sprinkled on his lady fingers?
Try giving him French beans (without seeds). They contain calcium and torts love them too like bhindi.

3.Does my tortoise drink his water given to him? Because he does urinate, but I never saw him drinking.
If you feel he doesn’t drink water, just sprinkle some on the food. That’s fine.



5.Is it okay for him just to eat lady fingers only because he likes and eats only lady fingers and no other vegetable. Will only and only lady finger consuming harm him in any way?
It wont harm him, but as mentioned earlier, try French beans or tomatoes or apple. Anything which has lot of fibre, no fats, no proteins. Healthy little beings they are.


7.What are the symptoms of an ILL tortoise?
Runny nose, swelling around the eyes and neck, bluish, pinkish pale skin. Healthy ones skin will be taut and little yellowish creamish.

8.What are the symptoms of an UNHAPPY tortoise?
Ask your intuition.

9.Do star tortoiss hibernate? If yes,then where and at what age?
No. They don’t.

10.What is the best way to keep a tortoise happy?
It depends. They are reserved. Feed them. Talk to them but don’t pick them up in the air for a long time. Go slow and steady.



12.What if my star tortoise falls down once or twice, say from a height of 1 foot, he has fallen once but he seems to be really okay,and no wound was there.
Depends on how they fall, if yours is OK, then well and good. Avoid keeping them on heights without enclosures.

13.Is my tortoise a healthy tortoise? He seems to be happy and normal but sometimes avoids food,but then still I make him eat it all.
Let them eat at small intervals. Sometimes, they like to roam around in between meals.

14.How many times a tortiose should be fed in a day? I'm talking about a baby star tortoise of around 1 year and I'm asking about the quantity of food to be given to him in Grams each day.
You can give 2-3 bhindis a day to a baby. But as they grow, they will eat that for one meal. Around 3 meals a day is fine. Cant say how many grams.

15.How to make my tortoise bath in a betadine solution? I read it on a website that once a week a tortoise must be washed in a betadine solution which looks like weak tea. BUT HOW? Wont it affect his eyes or mouth?
No idea on this one. Check with a vet.

Note from Shelly: I took out information here that was not correct.
Aug 13, 2015
 Star Tortoise answers
by: Shelly

I will answer the most important questions here. For others, I suggest you read this page http://www.tortoisetrust.org/care/celegans.html

4. You MUST have a proper UVB light unless your tortoise is outside for about 12 hours each day. Without this light, your tortoise cannot metabolize calcium and eventually, it will die an early death.

6. and 15. By all means, continue with the daily soaks. Do NOT put betadine in the water. You are correct in worrying that this will harm your tortoise.

Your other questions are good questions, You will find good information on the page I linked to above.

Keep it slow and steady.
Aug 13, 2015
 reply
by: Anonymous

answer each of them by correct number. I'm waiting please...:1.Is it okay for my tortoise to spend most of his time (minimum 12 hrs)sleeping in a corner?2.What do I do to supply him vitamins and minerals and calcium because he does not like them when sprinkled on his lady fingers?3.Does my tortoise drink his water given to him? Because he does urinate, but I never saw him drinking.4.Would a simple fluroscent lamp (cfl) would work for him instead of UVB lamp because here not many shops have UVB lamps?.5.Is it okay for him just to eat lady fingers only because he likes and eats only lady fingers and no other vegetable. Will only and only lady finger consuming harm him in any way?6.Am I doing wrong if I am making him bath in lukewarm water every morning? Should I do it in 2-3 days or even regular bath is good?7.What are the symptoms of an ILL tortoise?8.What are the symptoms of an UNHAPPY tortoise?9.Do star tortoiss hibernate? If yes,then where and at what age?10.What is the best way to keep a tortoise happy? 11.Is it okay to take him with us in some other city for some days, since we have an event there and I cant afford to leave my tortoise alone at our home for 10 days.12.What if my star tortoise falls down once or twice, say from a height of 1 foot, he has fallen once but he seems to be really okay,and no wound was there.13.Is my tortoise a healthy tortoise? He seems to be happy and normal but sometimes avoids food,but then still I make him eat it all.14.How many times a tortiose should be fed in a day? I'm talking about a baby star tortoise of around 1 year and I'm asking about the quantity of food to be given to him in Grams each day.15.How to make my tortoise bath in a betadine solution? I read it on a website that once a week a tortoise must be washed in a betadine solution which looks like weak tea. BUT HOW? Wont it affect his eyes or mouth?
Jul 03, 2015
 eyes are red
by: husna

my indian star tortoise eyes is having a problem.I can see a red tomato seedlike thing in her eyes.water also comes from her eyes.she is healthy.eats lettuce ,fruits etc
Apr 16, 2015
 size of female
by: yogi

I have female turtle. about 4.5inch. I want to know about her age???? Also know how many times in a day this turtle eat & drink????????????/
Jan 28, 2015
 Vitamins and Minerals for Tortoise
by: Anonymous

There are liquid forms of calcium and of vitamins I use for my tortois'...you add it to there water and they will still drink their water and I think it may also soak up into the shell.
Oct 14, 2014
 Torotise claws
by: Anonymous

I doubt that the claws will grow back. I have never heard of that happening. You want to keep the temperature a degree higher than normal. Allow your tortoise to soak in lukewarm water every day.

All the best to you.
Sep 14, 2014
 please help me and my tortoise
by: Anonymous

Hi..I have a 2years old star tortoise.Rat attacked her.She has injury.Rat has eaten all her nails of left hand from the veins.Will she get them back?.Her wounds are getting dry and I am cleaning her with betadine n applying Pendistrin sh tube.Vet also gave her 5 antibiotic injections.The major issue now I am facing is that she is not eating,drinking,urinating n nor defecating.Its one week she dint had anything.A vet told me that she is in shock and that is the reason behind this behaviour.But I am worried bcz she is not active like before.She's sitting inside for long hours n even whole night she doesn't move.please give me a solution n answers for my few questions.
1-Will my tortoise get back her nails? If yes ,within how many days or months?
2-What do I do to forget that accident which happened with her?I feel that is affecting her majorly.
3-When will she start having?
4-For how long shall give her sunlight n at what timings.
5-Not eating for months is normal for tortoises but is not urinating n defecating normal?
Please help me out.I love her alot
Jan 06, 2014
 Danger!
by: Anonymous

Separate your tortoises or you will have two sick tortoises.

The sick one needs to be extra warm. Raise the temperature of his enclosure one or two degrees.

Continue the medication.

See the vet again.
Jan 04, 2014
 my unhealthy tortoise i need help
by: Anonymous

hey...since the day i have bouhgt my two tortoise one o f them is alwayz active wheres the other one was unhealthy n lazy too.after some days he got a swell on his neck and he removed water from his mouth and nose.and yaa the swellin never goes.i have already visited a vet and he recomended some medicines but i guess dat never showed der results.so now d problem s he is not havin his food since last 4 days and d swellin is yet der i m quit worried about him........plzzz do recomend sumthin both d toroise used to eat oly lady finger ...but dan d healthy tortoise sumtyms have other things too but d unhealthy doesnt like to have anything else except lady fingers but now he hes stopped havin dat i m worred a lot please do suggest when i searched on net all d sites wer lyk dat runny nose is a symtomp of RNS but d thing is he removes water from mouth and his nose
Feb 16, 2013
 Hiee Akansha....
by: Archana

Gve ur tortoise sum other vegetables lyk... beans...cucumber...coriander leaves...nd sum kind of leafy vegetables.......nd gve dem bath 1nce in 2-3 days..... nd even i hve a qstn dat really dey do drink water...or not...
Jan 12, 2013
 soft shell indian turtle
by: harsh

He is not eating from a long time please suggest some idea about it
Jan 12, 2013
 food
by: harsh

Hi,
my indian soft shell turtle is not eating for 3 months, please suggest some idea and before some months he was eating raw chicken only pls tell some idea about food.
Jan 09, 2013
 Same
by: Anonymous

Yes, i have a star tortoise and he is not eating from last 3 days he just wanted to hide in dark place and wanted to sleep all the day. He was just 1 or 2 years old
Nov 14, 2012
 Tortoise problem
by: Anonymous

Hi,

My turtle is also facing same problem please suggest me some idea pls i need to advise,,,

NOTE: I took your email address out because spammers can read it here. People will answer you here.
Keep it slow and steady
Shelly
Mar 24, 2012
 illness of star turtle
by: vaibhav

what if my turtle isn't eating anything for 15 days,what should i do? what medicines are recommended for him,
May 30, 2011
 To all the pet lovers
by: amodiaas

Hello everyone....

I know u might be taking care of ur tortoise very well but I will also advice that they also take energy from SUNLIGHT so also keep then in direct sunlight for some time .....

ThnkQ
May 19, 2011
 $t@r TorToise
by: Anand Virwani

they like tomatoes very much......they like to sleep always in a corner of a room...they always watch out for a cool place...


Plz give me some suggestions what they eat,when to keep in water plzzz snd.....
My ID :
1)anandvirwani.virwani@gmail.com
2)veerwanianand@yahoo.com
3)sandeshvirwani@rocketmail.com
plz snd
.....................XXXXX..........................
May 19, 2011
 star tortoise
by: Anonymous

do they eat tomato..........plz rply soon
Feb 23, 2011
 give them vegetables
by: vivek

give them green vegetables like coriander they like it very much also they like cucumber they get water from it and tomatoes too. Give them shoeflower leaves i highly recommend it they are shoeflower leaves fanatics. Keep them in sun for a while it will be natural uv light. Let them roam in safe place so they get some exercise. I have two star tortoise but i too want advise from people. Feel free to suggest.
Jan 08, 2011
 I am curious
by: Coralie

I hope you will post the tortoises present condition. It is now January 8 2011 Thank you.
Jul 03, 2010
 Question 2
by: Anonymous

I haven't tried this yet, but i hear that TNT total nutrition can help really well. try buying some from carolina pet supply. (just google it)
Jul 03, 2010
 Question1
by: Anonymous

My russian tortoise does the same. What i do, is wake her up (gently) after about 10 hours off sleep. she then becomes pretty active.
Jun 15, 2009
 star tortoises reg
by: gg

HI,

I just read your article,The thing is to feed these guys with different food each day. For eg, cabbage on mondays, lady finger on tuesdays,green leaves on wednesdays, carrots and coriander leaves on thursdays etc. You need to give them a bath only once a week and not daily. Use calicum sandoz tablets crushed and powdered over the food and leave it in a bowl for them to feed.

I would like to know what food other than ladys finger do you give for your tortoise. and what is the size of your pen.
May 07, 2009
 Some answers
by: Anonymous

Hi, Akanksha. I don't know about star tortoises specifically, but I can give you some general information that I've learned about taking care of my tortoise.

1. Tortoises generally have active periods in the morning and in the afternoon, and how active they are can vary depending on things like the weather. Consistently low energy can be a sign of illness, though.

2. There are vitamin supplements made specifically for tortoises out of things that they normally eat so that it will taste good to them. I would recommend TNT Total Nutrition for Tortoises, which I order from www.carolinapetsupply.com I don't know if you can get it where you live, but that or something similar would probably work best.

3. Tortoises get most of the water they need from the vegetables they eat. They will occasionally drink, so it's good to keep water available, but it's normal for him not to drink much.

4. A simple fluorescent lamp will not work for a tortoise that needs UVB light. The UVB light is very important for shell growth, and the shell will become deformed without it.

5. In general a tortoise needs variety in his diet to get good nutrition. My tortoise needs lots of leafy greens and weeds, and other veggies are not as good for her. I don't know about a star tortoise diet specifically, though.

6. I was told that it is not good to bathe a tortoise every day because it can speed up his metabolism too much and encourage parasites. The recommendation I got was to bathe a tortoise 2-3 times a week. Sometimes sick, dehydrated tortoises need daily baths until they get well again, though.

7. Some signs include the tortoise looking very limp and unalert, discharge from his nose, sunken eyes, loose skin around his head or limbs, and not eating.

8-11. I don't really know much about these, other than that providing good food and a good environment should make him happy.

12. I think the tortoise's shell does a pretty good job of protecting him from being injured by short falls like that.

13. You'd probably need to take him to a vet if you want to know about any health concerns.

14. I don't know about star tortoises specifically, but with my tortoise, the recommendation is to give her as much salad as she can eat in 20 minutes each day, and that is enough. It's not the same number of grams each day.

15. I've never heard anything about betadine solution, and my tortoise has been happy and healthy just with water baths. Star tortoises may be different, though.

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