post shipping stress....?

[sneaky_boa]

Has anyone had any negative experiences after having received a tort which was shipped using an airline? I've had my hatchling tort since Thursday (having been shipped from Vancouver to Edmonton via Air Canada) and it has neither eaten nor drunk anything. He/she simply burries him/herself inside its hide area and will not venture out to explore or get food. Husbandry is ideal for my redfoot....day temp 85-90, night temp 80, humidity 70%. Any ideas how long this will last? When should I start worrying about starvation/dehydration? Any tips...ANYTHING????
Please help......

[Wu-Gwei]

Well, from my experience, if a turt/tort was eating prior to shipment, it will acclimatize quickly.

I also like to mention that hatchlings torts often will hide and not THAT active. It all depends. Sometimes you have to lead him to food and warm soaks to get them to eat.

Somethings for you to think about.


Cheers,
JJ


P.S. Good luck with your new little one.

[nat_the_brat]

I recently got a hatchling sulcata and for the first aprx three days he wouldn't really eat and all he wanted to do was hide. He picked up since (slowly) and now he wants to explore so bad he keeps knocking himself over trying to climb the walls.

[Buddha]

to prevent dehydration I would strongly suggest soaking the little guy everyday for about 20 mins in and rubber made container water depth no higher than 3/4 of the shell lenght and warm water.

if you have and question feel free to email me or send private messages.

[beth wallbank]

make sure that your little guy does not get dehydrated. Babies can succumb to dehydration if you let it get too far. I would get some pedialite non flavoured and soak your baby in it. No fruits as you do not want him to get diarreha either. Make sure to keep him moist as they need more humidity than desert tortoises.

[sneaky_boa]

Thanks folks!!!

However, I have been soaking the baby for 10 mins/day in warm H2O all along, also the enclosure gets 2 spray downs/day (morning and evening)...if that's all that's required for hydration I guess I'm set. I think I was more concerned about not having seen the little guy actually DRINK. I feel better now...I'll increase soak time to twice what I've been doing and hopefully the little guy will eat soon! (Fruit has been oficially thrown OUT!)

[Buddha]

Check out this thread
http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/showt...threadid=56904

[sneaky_boa]

Ya....I saw that one when it was posted, and have visited those sites religiously. I just got flustered when things didn't go as expected...and like most 'new mommies' (with torts anyway), a little over the top with the paranoia. I'm just more familiar with my snakes...