Questions Concerning Random Death of Young Cherryhead Tortoise

Reticsrule · 04-15-12, 07:23 PM

Hey Guys,

It has been an absolute eternity since I've posted on this forum but I got a young Cherryhead Red Foot Tortoise in February (it was my first tort) and it passed away the other night for unknown reasons.

He was eating fine up until the last two or three days which doesn't seem long enough to be the sole cause of death. The major thing that was strange though is that he was very reluctant to open his eyes, even if picked up or disturbed. It was almost like he trusted the person handling him but I'm sure that wasn't the case and it was probably a sign of something bad. He would eat fine though and seemed to be responsive in every other way than the opening of the eyes.

I'm definitely no tortoise expert and was just wondering if any of you guys have experienced anything similar to this and could give me some insight.

Thanks!

Dylan

SpOoKy · 04-15-12, 07:30 PM

I am sorry I don't have any info to offer you but I am sorry you lost him.

Bradyloach · 04-15-12, 07:32 PM

How were you keeping him? Temps? Size of the enclosure

Reticsrule · 04-15-12, 07:44 PM

I was keeping him in a Rubbermaid that was 2' long x 18" wide with a substrate of cypress bedding. I had a UVB bulb over half of the tub as well as a basking lamp that gave a basking spot of 90-95 degrees. I would mist the tub daily if not a few times a day to keep it a little more humid. And he was on a diet of mostly different types of greens and lettuce twice a day with calcium powder added to his meal once a day.

I was just wondering if anyone had experienced the closing of the eyes thing before because that is what struck me as especially strange.