How do I know if my tortoise hibernating, sick or dead?

Question

I just got 2 tortoises about 3 weeks ago. 1 Sulcata and 1 Red-footed ( I think he's less than a year). The Sulcata is very active and eat a lot, while the Red-footed eat very little and seems to sleep a lot. Today, when I came home and saw the Red-footed looks like he's sleeping, but when I pick him up and touch him he's not moving at all. I saw there's saliva came out from his nose. I'm worrying about my tortoise. I don't know what happen to him and I don't want him to die. Please tell me if you know why my tortoise is like that. I really appreciate that. I might have to take the tortoise to a vet when the morning come. Thank you very much for taking your time to answer my questions.

Regards,

PAL

Answer 1

aw, i'm sorry, but i really don't know. have you done any research? hope everything works out for you!

Answer 2

Sulcata Tortoise Hibernation

Answer 3

The Red-foot may be dead. If it is totally limp when you pick it up and does not move, it is either dead or very close to it.

It is unfortunate that you had these two together. You see, Red-foots are a tropical forest species and Sulcatas (or African Spurred, not 'spur-thighed') are grassland species.

Grasslanders like warm, dry habitats with grassy fiberous diets low in fruit and no meats. They need a humid hiding place, like lots of sun and UVB, etc.

Forest species are very different. They like warm but VERY humid habitats and diets high in leafy greens, fruit, and even a little meat. They generally shun sunshine and do not need very much UVB.

It is also not a good idea to mix animals from different regions. Diseases, germs, and parasites one animal carries and is used to can be a big problem for animals from different regions, and the Amazon drainage of South America is definately a different region than the sub-Sahara arid grasslands of Africa.

It is also not a good idea to house animals of very different sizes together. A baby Red-foot and a baby Sulcata are about the same size, but the Sulcata will rather quickly grow to about 100 lbs and about 3' long- one of the largest tortoise species on Earth. The Red-foot MAY hit 2' long and weight 20-30lbs. At about 5 years old, a Sulcata can easily hurt the much smaller Red-foot by accident.

For good care info on tortoises in general, try:
- http://www.tortoisetrust.org

For Red-foots, try:
- http://www.redfoots.com

For Sulcata, try:
- http://www.sulcata-station.org or
- http://www.africantortoise.com

Good luck with the Sulcata, and future tortoises!

Answer 4

if he's not moving at all, his legs and head are hanging limp and he had fluid / drool coming from the nasal and mouth then im afraid your pet has already expired,

the fluid from the nose sounds maybe like he/she has ahad a respiritory infection, either way id get your remaining tortoise to the vets to check she doesnt have it to

what temperature is the vivarium at? do you have the correct UV lighting? what have you been feeding? what is the humidity in the tank? there are alot of things that could have contributed to this

(have fun moving the sulcata when its full grown. a 3 foot tortoise and at weighing over a tonne you are going to have fun lol)

Answer 5

Red foots are tropical, and should not hibernate. They will become very lethargic, and sick, if not kept warm enough. If your tortoise is still alive, it won't be for long. It is EXTREMELY sick, due to improper care.
You really should have gone to the effort of learning proper care for these animals before you got them, rather than waiting until they're near death, and then asking this question, of all places, on yahoo answers.

Answer 6

if your tortoise is not moving at all and there is fluid coming out of it it does not sound good, tortoises are always moving in some way, their lungs do not work the same way as ours, they have to move their front legs in and out their shell to breath they do not have a muscle structure like us and if the front legs are not moving at all then the tortoise is not breathing, even in hibernation they do this. touch the tortoises legs they usually move them, even when they are hibernating if you touch a tortoise it will move but not wake up, i would take your pet to the vet as soon as you can runny noses are not good your tortoise, there is a tortoise illness called runny nose syndrome, the tortoise will refuse to eat, persistent nasal discharge, and the tortoise may be lethargic and off colour, you need to get your tortoise to the vet this can be a contagious illness so i would take both tortoises to the vet. it can be treated, good luck honey but remember if it is R.N.S then you do need to get your other tortoise checked out

Answer 7

Tortoises in hibernation do drool a little bit, just like we drool a bit in our sleep. By all means have him checked out by a vet, but I would also advise that an 07 hatchling should not be in hibernation until he is five yr old.

Answer 8

First, research for the animal nature of tortoise.
Second, keep on feeding your tortoise with the consideration of their nature, not human nature.
Third, a tortoise is hibernating if it is not moving but still breathing; it is sick if it moving so slowly than its natural slow movements; and it is dead when it is not moving, and not breathing anymore.

Answer 9

sounds like you got poorly tortoise go to the vets

Answer 10

well... spur thighs and red foot torts are VERY different i have a spur thigh and hes very active as well
but for your other tortoise did you do ANY research on them or look at him closely before you bought him????
you should take him to the vet IMMEDIATELY

Answer 11

my tortoise can sleep for a week!
don't worry, they can live 4 200 yrs.