Please help -- my tortoise died

by Sam
(UK)

My 2 year old Hermans tortoise has died. He has been eating very little but I was told that that would happen at this time of year. I got him Sept time from a family and he had been kept in a vivarium which is how they bought him.


I have been bathing him in warm water twice weekly and he has fresh water and fresh food daily. He passed his last poo 2 days ago and although I didn't see him eat anything yesterday I wasn't really too worried as he appeared active and healthy (eyes and nose clear). I have just gone to give him his bath today to find him lifeless, eyes closed and sunken in.......

I am devastated and feel so bad that this has happened.

What could have gone wrong???????????

Comments for Please help -- my tortoise died

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Jul 25, 2023
by: Anonymous

I lost my little shelled baby today. She was no more than 4-5 years old and has been my whole world for 2 1/2 years. I don't know how it happened, she was moving about just fine a couple of days ago and i have checked on her and figured she was just sleeping, i didn't want to disturb her so i left her in peace. Little did i know that the last time i saw her scuttle off to bed would be the last time i saw her alive.
My poor little baby died and i don't know how or why! My whole future has been shattered, she was my legacy and i don't know how to go on without her. I have done everything i can to bring her back, i have begged and prayed and cried and offered my life in exchange for hers, but it won't work, she is cold and gone and now i have to bury her.

She kept me going and now i have nothing.
Jan 25, 2023
 So sorry
by: Shelly

Jessica, I am so sorry for your loss. Whenever someone we loves leaves us, there is a hole in our hearts. Thank you for sharing your story.

Keep it slow and steady
Jan 20, 2023
 My tortoise sadly died 🐢
by: Jessica

Hello tortoise family
I sadly lost my tot today me and my kids called him little Sheldon we live in the UK,sadly this week our temperature outside dropped to quick and my house is poorly made so heat was escaping in my living room and hallway but we had the heating on 24hrs a day it was warm during the day but would drop temperature in the night while we was sleeping even tho we would leave it on but not upstairs temperature was staying around 30 I was thinking about putting him up stairs on the top landing but then he would get left with no interaction not how any animal should be treated but regards to all that I feel guilty as I could of done that but my vet said to today even if I did that he would of still been Same situation as heat would no off stayed up stairs on the landing my little tot decide he was going to put him self into hibernation,even tho his tot table had right temperatures right lighting was not enough as I've explained i booked him in the vets for today early this morning to confirm he had passed even tho I new deep down yesterday he had gone as he was showing no signs of life so I had already confirmed to myself that he passed I just wanted second opinion and the vet indeed confirmed it to.My kids cried I held to together but I had the feeling in my throat as you do I have now indeed cried as he was best little tot he had character like dog would put his head up look round to see who was around loved to be bathed but he was naughty when it came to food I put his calcium dust on he would toss the leaves of calcium to one side eat none calcium ones walk away sometime he would eat them depending what the leave was he use his cuttlefish as surfing board he would go over to his water bowl and poo in it looks at us like yh I did that wait for us to give bath so he would drink from warm water. I would like another one in the future but will get my house in better shape before hand. Thank you so much for reading as it's long post ❤️ little Sheldon ❤️🐢🐢🐢 rest in peace help all little tot that come your way to xx
Mar 29, 2022
 sorry : (
by: Anonymous

I'm so sorry this happened to your little ones. Because I did a lot of research and contemplated hibernation, I know that every tortoise owner that does it does so with the tortoise's wellbeing in mind. You were trying your best but some things are simply out of our control. I hug you.
Mar 28, 2022
 So sorry for your loss
by: Shelly

I am so sorry for your loss. Sometimes things go wrong that we can't expect. I hope you enjoy the memories you have of them in better times.

Keep it slow and steady.
Mar 28, 2022
 Lost both Horsfields
by: Anonymous

Hibernated my two 12 year old Horsfields exactly same as I have always done, in the fridge, monitored temperature, same substrate, regularly opened doors for oxygen etc, I let them wind down no food 3 weeks prior. Unfortunately checked them 27 Feb to come out of hibernation on 1March and the smaller of the two was dead, my other tortoise I thought OK took him out day after and started warming him up but by late evening it was clear he had some kind of respiratory infection, I bathed his eyes, bathed him and put him under lamp but he died during the night. Don't know what went wrong and I feel very bad, won't get another and definitely wouldn't hibernate its obviously too risky, I got too confident as it had always gone well before. Been a sunny week and the garden seems empty without them.
Sep 04, 2021
 Why tortoises die
by: Shelly

It's not always possible to know why a tortoise dies.

They are often ill for a long time before they die, and it is not always evident that they are ill. The facts that they are cold-blooded and enclosed in a shell make it hard to stay on top of everything.

Keep it slow and steady.
Shelly
Sep 03, 2021
 Tortoise died
by: Anonymous

I had a eastern Herman tort for almost one year:. He was very active and always walking around, I looked in the tank and it looked like he was just standing there staring at something. When I looked again an hour later I saw that he was still in the same position so I picked him up and was horrified to see that he was totally bloated. His neck was twice the size and it looked like he had pooped out his insides. It was horrible. He was twice his normal size from being so swollen . Can someone please tell me what they think may have happened to him. He was so healthy. Never looked sick, I am so upset, he looked like he blew up, I am so upset. I don’t understand it, if anyone has any idea why this happened: please lie me know… thank you
Sep 03, 2021
 never absent
by: patricia

I’m so sorry for your loss. Today Yoda, my sweet 1 1/2 year old hermann’s tortoise died too. She got ill so suddenly yesterday and barely made it through the night. : ( We’re guessing she swallowed a small pebble she couldn’t pass. I’m so sad.

Found this poem on some forum:

Just this side of heaven is a place called rainbow bridge.
When a tortoise dies who was loved by someone, that tortoise goes to rainbow bridge.
There are wide open plains and warm basking spots for all our beloved tortoises to spend all day basking in the warm sun. There is plenty of grass, and flowers, lots of warm water to soak in. Our friends are all warm and comfortable, and play together all day long

All the tortoises who have been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remembered them in our dreams of days and time gone by. The tortoises are happy and content, except for one small thing. They each miss someone very special who had to be left behind.

They all bask, and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are eager and intent, his shell starts to wiggle. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, his stubby legs carrying him over the plains, faster than they ever could in life.

You have been spotted, and when you and your tortoise meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy head rubs commence, your hands once again caress your tortoise's head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your beloved tortoise, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author known.
Jun 28, 2021
 So sorry for your loss
by: Shelly

I am so sorry you lost your friend.

It is difficult to stand by and not be able to help.

Keep it slow and steady
Shelly
Jun 28, 2021
 Our 22 years told tortoise die unexpectedly
by: Anonymous

We had our tortoise - ARCO for about 22 yrs .. he is desert tortoise. He was the size of the dollar coin when we got him, he passed away Saturday and he grew to be about 120 lbs., we thought he will out live all of us including out children. He stopped eating over a week ago, my husband tried to hand fed him bananas, water mellow and romaine lettuce. He tried to take him to the vet but no appointment till this coming Thursday. but he passed Saturday. How could it be? it's very heart broken and he is part of the family. We are going cremated him and also a service for Arco...
Mar 28, 2021
 So sorry for your loss
by: Shelly

I am so sorry for your loss.

You may not have done anything wrong.

Keep it slow and steady.

Shelly
Mar 28, 2021
 Loss of tortoise friend
by: Kate

We have also lost our much loved tort, after 15 years. He never woke from hibernation and we are heartbroken. Understand how you are all feeling. We are gutted and driving ourselves crazy wondering where we went wrong, how we let him down. The guilt is awful. X
Apr 19, 2019
 Terrance
by: Anonymous

I'm 99 % sure my 6yr old herman tortoise is dead. He passed some clear sticky fluid from his tail after a soak. Up until them he seemed fine. Then stopped eating .went into a sleep. Legs ,head were limp. I took him to my local vets but they couldn't tell me if he was dead. His eye s are closed but sunken now..
Hasn't gone hard or smelling bad yet .don't know how long that takes??
Feb 27, 2019
 hibernation
by: Anonymous

The sunken eyes could mean trouble.
Feb 24, 2019
 sunken eyes in hibernation
by: Arnold.Arthur

my baby arnold is 1 and he is in hibernation for the first time. he isn’t moving and his eyes are sunken. i’m scared for him
Jan 07, 2019
 Just Lost My Guy
by: Frankie

Had Galileo for about 10 years. Bought him when I graduated from college. He always had a lot of pep, but over the last year or so he started to seem more sluggish. I also noticed a fair amount of skin shedding form his neck over that time. Did some research on it and ultimately chalked it up to regular reptile shedding. But not sure if that had anything to do with it. I will admit his diet wasn't very varied (mostly romaine lettuce), but he pretty much refused to eat any other fruit or vegetable I put in his tank. Seemed to suit him just well for the majority of his life though.

I'd love to know exactly where I went wrong. If anyone has any useful insight I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Sep 22, 2018
 So sorry
by: Shelly

I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds like you did all you could for your friend.

Keep it slow and steady.
Sep 14, 2018
 My Herman passed away.
by: Shano

We had Henry for around 6 years, he got fatally sick from about 3 and stopped eating because his mouth became limp, the vet told us it was some kind of bacterial infection in his system. It was so sudden and I paid quite a lot for him to have an apparatus put on him to help get food into him until he recovered. We were told that he didnt have long, he did start to eat again on his own and would shuffle his way into little sun spots if we let him out. He didnt grow very much, but seemed to have so much energy, soon he was stamping around when he was hungry, climbing things, he was a little trooper.

We lost Henry some time in the night, despite all the money I spent I could only keep him going for 3 more years. I hope that he didnt suffer too much, I am truly broken over his passing.
Jul 12, 2018
 Left away
by: Anonymous

M tortice has left me by on month later we got a another tortice so I keep together in a small tub new one is bigger than olds so old one not going down to eat food few day later it's. One night it's floating so I removed it from water and kept down I moved the legs but no response so I conclusued that that was died so I felt very sad for leaving me why it died I want if you know please reply I am waiting for your reply
May 11, 2018
 🐢
by: Anonymous

My tortoise is dying as well. I got to know it too late, even though we took great care of him he is slowly dying due to my negligence. He has vitamin A and D deficiency and eye infection. We are doing our best to save him, but hopefully he makes it through.
May 10, 2018
 Help
by: Anonymous

My tortoise is dying. He has vitamin A and D deficiency, His eyes have infection. We take good care of him but he stopped eating a month ago and became extremely lethargic. The doctor is saying that he may not survive and I don't want to believe it. I'm so heartbroken. He will be 4 this December and I don't want him to die.
Apr 06, 2018
 Farewell Old Friend
by: Anonymous

The Tortose I had shared the world with for 50 years yesterday passed away. Shortly relocated and the neighbours at the previous address where hammering and drilling for the past couple of months....I believe they disturbed his sleep so he used all his reserves...

When he awoke he was dehydrated but would not eat or drink. The day was sunny and warm so I took hi out to the grass and tried to get him to eat. He moved a little and then when I returned was still Forever.

I suppose some would say 50 years is pretty good but could be more because he was a fair size when I was given him when I was 11. Its just such a loss of a friend...not a cuddly creature nut one who shared the path and not many will....

From Shelly,

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. It is always hard to lose a friend.

Keep it slow and steady.
Mar 28, 2018
 So sorry for your loss.
by: Shelly

I am so sorry to hear about your loss.

I am happy that you did what you could for a tortoise for as long as you could. It is hard to lose that battle.

Keep it slow and steady.
Mar 28, 2018
 Loss
by: Anonymous

This morning I came home from work and my wife told me one of our tortoises died. Shelly was a rescue from a co-worker and she had lots of medical issues. The vet said her liver was failing a few weeks ago and that is likely a side effect from her previous living conditions and health. We are grateful she mad it this long with us. She was loved by all 4 of my family but very special to my kids. It'll be hard to tell them.

Miss you already Shelly.

PS. To the creators and editors of this "blog" if you will. Thank you for keeping this going. I'm from MN and most dont understand the love we have for our tortoises. Please keep up the good work.
Mar 02, 2018
 sorry
by: Crystal

so sorry

well buy another one
Jan 18, 2018
 So sorry
by: Shelly

I am so sorry for your loss of George.

Take is slow and steady.
Jan 13, 2018
 RIP GEORGE
by: Anonymous

My tortoise George Best died he did have some health issues and started not to eat. I did not hibernate him because of his health. I found him this morning passed away. He was 14 yrs feel sad that he didn't get to live a good age.
Oct 24, 2017
 Even i lost my indian tortoise feeling bad
by: Alisha

I lost my tortoise sudden death. I am in shock. And she was facing leg problem where poison was spreading all over her body. Doctor gave medicine and there was improvement but on Tuesday night she took deep breath and she died. I miss u
Sep 25, 2017
 So sorry
by: Shelly

I am so sorry for your loss.

I cannot say from this distance what has happened.
Aug 21, 2017
 My Tortoise Dead and I Have Idea Why
by: Sarah

Hi All,

I'm looking for answers and maybe someone can help?

I got two southwest desert tortoise two years ago and named them Ike and Tina Turtle. Ike has always been stronger, more playful and a great eater and would drink water. Tina has always been more reserved, not a good eater and would only drink water from time to time. But I thought this was just her personality.

I went to check on them yesterday and Tina was not able to move but her eyes were open just a little bit and her mouth was covered in white powdery stuff. It was Sunday night so I couldn't find an emergency doctor who was open, the closest one was in La Mesa which is an hour and 15 minutes from my house. When we got Tina there they couldn't find her heart beat, which I'm pretty sure that means she died in the car ride.

Does anyone know what this could be or what the white stuff on her lips could be? I was wondering if she eat something that could have done this. We have tons of gofers in the area but we NEVER use any poison for this reason along. I feed there so good and even made them a swim in area for them to get water so I know she had everything she needed.
Jun 06, 2017
 Sam (UK)
by: Anonymous

Dear Sam

It seems like you were providing excellent care. Doing all you possible could to provide a good home. I would not give up hope It may have been the tortoises time. Please give another needy Tortoise a home. You sound like an excellent Tortoise Keeper

Michele
Jun 01, 2017
 Dear Tullulagh
by: Anonymous

Dear Tullulagh I am sorry for your loss of your tortoise It sounds like you are very experienced. Losing a Tortoise friend hurts a lot. I too lost my sisters tortoise today. My sister moved here from another state. She gave me her tortoise to take temporary care of that she has had for over 12 years. He came to me and seemed to be in good condition. He got a very sudden respiratory infection and died the same day I was going rush him to the vet. I am devastated this is going to be a big loss for her as she just lost her husband as well. I guess I underestimated the toll moving from another state would have on the tortoise. Im not sure what could have happened. I have 3 Russians myself that I have had for 23 years successfully. Anyway I wanted you to know you are not alone in your suffering.
May 28, 2017
 Tullulagh
by: Anonymous

My tortoise died yesterday she was a very poor eater. We are devasted as now we only have her brother. Her eyes were sunk in and her back legs are limp. We tried putting her in room temp water to see if she was just dehydrated. The question is now what do we do with her? What's the best thing to do?
May 15, 2017
 So sorry
by: Shelly

I am so sorry for your loss.

Hold your good memories close.

Keep it slow and steady.
May 13, 2017
 Horsefield past away
by: Anonymous

We lost our horsefield yesterday our little rocket. He was lifeless and no reponse from him at all. Tried bathing him, left him overnight warm in the hope that he was just in really deep sleep. My son pet and he is devasted. My love goes out to to u all who have lost their pet devasting.x
Feb 02, 2017
 sad but true
by: an owner

if you bought it from a pet shop that is probably the reason
Jan 16, 2017
 My tortoise passed away just now
by: Shan

My tortoise died just now before I came home from work. She was not well for quiet sometime. She wouldn't eat properly or drink water. She had breathing issues which I never noticed only when my doctor told I saw a lump that formed near the side of her neck. My doctor told she had hepatitis and her shell was all soft. She was so adorable. She used to come out of her shell when I used to slide my fingers on her forehead softly and slowly. I used to play with her my slightly touching her feet trying to tickle when she used to hide and go back in her shell. I am going to miss her so much. I'm sorry to read that you too have lost your loved ones. I have the male left which I plan to give away and after I don't plan to have tortoises. Please pray for me baby.
Dec 28, 2016
 So sorry
by: Shelly

I am so sorry for your loss.

It is always hard to lose a good friend.

Keep it slow and steady.
Dec 14, 2016
 Tortoise
by: Don

Today i found my tortoise dead when i came home today and I looked at him for a while a game him a warm bath because that usually makes him happy and this time he didn't come out of his shell it was almost his birthday and he died 5 days before it. i double checked if my tortoise was dead i've noticed that his legs were limp and his head was all the way out but he was still cold. so i checked again after calling the vet and when i came back he smelled really bad and he wouldn't move.
Sep 11, 2016
 My tortoise has passed and I'm clueless as to why.
by: Anonymous

My squirtal butt, spur thigh tortoise passed away today. I have no clue why or how. She ate today all her food I come back out to check on her and her head is in her shell. She only doe that if she scared but comes back out rather quick. She didn't come back out, I walk to her and pick her up still no response. Took her inside wetted her down but still nothing. I have no clue. She was so active yesterday and ate well today. My heart is broken. She was getting so big. She was suppose to out live is all.
Jul 05, 2016
 So sorry for your loss
by: Shelly

I have no idea what went wrong, but I do understand how sad you must be.

Keep it slow and steady.
Jul 03, 2016
 Our lovely Tallulah passed today
by: SP

Such a sad day as we found our lovely pet tortoise Talullulad dead today, she has been in good health like her brother Elvis and although she was considerably small than he brother, seemed to be in good health, unfortunate we found her on her back, feel really bad, what could have happened?
Jun 07, 2016
 So sorry
by: Shelly

I am so sorry for your loss. It must be very confusing not to know what happened.

Keep it slow and steady.
Jun 05, 2016
 devastated
by: Anonymous

I'm in such a state devastated is understatement both my tortoises died today I got them 6 years today they were in the garden whilst I was out there enjoying the sun and I rushed them to the vet to be told there dead no explanation why how I'm gutted
May 03, 2016
 So sad
by: Shelly

I'm so sorry your pet died. It sounds like it was quite ill. Very often, by the time you know the animal is ill, it is already very ill.

Keep it slow and steady.
Apr 28, 2016
 Was my tortoise dead
by: Anonymous

We got our tortoise for out daughter when she was 2 we had him 12years he stopped eating so brought him to the pet shop and was told he needed more of him heat lamp for energy so that's what we did. I got a smell and found him in his tank with limbs and head hanging out when I picked him up he was lifeless and let off a foul smells gas which seemed to deflate skin around his neck I put him out side till my daughter came home to him but now his head was in so I'm now wondering if I put him outside prematurely and d cold killed him 😭😭😭 needless to say we're all heartbroken
Mar 22, 2016
 sorry:'(
by: Sundus

I'm so sorry for your loss. My tortoise died today and I feel really bad, I just can't help but cry.
Aug 27, 2015
 How sad
by: Shelly

I am so sorry to hear about the death of your friend! And under such strange circumstances. I have never heard of such a thing, but it seems it does exist.

My condolences.

Keep it slow and steady.
Aug 27, 2015
 RIP
by: Anonymous

My tortoise died earlier today, she was 4 years old. We were told she had a prolapse, the vet checked her and said she had male parts too and so couldn't pass 5 eggs, she was given injections which were unsuccessful in moving the eggs. So, she had an operation to remove them and neuter her under anti-biotics, the operation was 2 and half hours long and was successful, just 20 minutes later her heart stopped.

RIP 27/08/15

Sorry also for your loss
Jun 20, 2015
 So sorry
by: Shelly

I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you have good memories to hold onto.
Jun 20, 2015
 Dinky
by: Anonymous

,y totoise died today 20th June 2015. Had stopped eating for a few days. But nothing else seemed wrong.went into the garden ,and dinky was lifeless.we arje all devastated .she was 15 years old.
Nov 17, 2014
 I'm so sorry.
by: Adeyemi

My tortoise just died, this night, November 16, 2014, so I understand the pain. I am young, 16, and was 11 when I got my young Adrian. I was not a bad pet carer, but you are far better than I. You did all you could, and again, I am sorry for your loss
Nov 05, 2013
 So sorry
by: Shelly

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. It sounds like you did everything you could.

Keep it slow and steady.
Nov 05, 2013
 RIP
by: Anonymous

Our beloved Henri (Horsfield) died today we are devastated he was having an op due to a blockage of the intestine, we are all inconsolable he was the heart of our family, I feel your pain RIP
Feb 13, 2012
 So Sorry
by: Shelly

Chris, I'm so sorry about your loss. Sometimes we just don't know what has gone wrong. Enjoy your memories of your pet.

Keep it slow and steady.
Feb 12, 2012
 I'm sorry for your loss.
by: Chris

My Russian Tortoise died the same way today. He was eating normally and seemed active if not more than usual. Yesterday I noticed he wasn't eating but he was extremely active. I went to feed him this morning and he had passed in his sleep.(I know he was alive when I went to bed) The worst part is not knowing why he passed.

RIP Oogway Selecky
Jan 12, 2011
 hibernation
by: Robaloie

I don't want to be one to say you are wrong. However do you know if the tortoise is just hibernating? I had a friend once who mistakenly thought her tortoises died, when they had just went into a deep hibernation because they got too cold.
Jan 10, 2011
 Tortoise
by: Anonymous

I am so sorry for your loss, it could of been so many things, and obstruction in his body, a disease he could of had before you. Just know you loved him and that this wasn't your fault.

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