Is my tortoise dead?!?

Question

I have a Hermanns tortoise, a 2006 hatchling. Recently he's been eating less and has been quite docile, i.e not moving much at all. The other day when i went to check on him he was inside his shell and looked like he was sleeping, however he will not wake up. I'm very worried he's dead, and I don't know what to do. Can someone please help!
Thankyou.

Thankyou for suggesting I didn't look after my tortoise properly. In fact you will find that was highly ignorant of you. I know all about tortoise care, otherwise if it were something I caused I wouldn't be asking the question as to whether he was dead or not "Charlie D."

After some internet research I found that you shuld never purchase a tortoise under 12months of age because the mortality rate is higher. Mine was in fact a 2007 hatchling, in spetember and very young. He was kept in a vivarium, which alternated from around 22 degrees- 25 during the day then the temperature was reduced during the night. He was fed on a diet of fresh weeds and occasionally strawberries, sometimes red lettuce. Freshwater was always available. I am absolutley certain that if he is dead is isn't through neglect at all. Thankyou everyone else for your replies, bar Charlie D. I will try everything you have suggested.

Well thankyou for your replies. Here is how i care for him:
He sleeps in a vivarium, with the temperature at around 25 degrees. On sunny, hotter days he goes outside in the garden with me, not left alone because he's quite small and could get lost. When i wake him in the morning, he has a soak in luke warm water, and then feeds on weeds and fruit. This is somethimes sprinkled with cuttle fish, because i heard thats good for their bones? Freshwater is always available and then later on in the day he has a lonnger soak for around 20 mins.

I've consulted the place where I got him from and this care is fine so please don't tell me i cannot care for my tortoise.

Answer 1

It all depends what the temperature is in his home. He need to be kept above 68F 20c to be active, 75 to 80 f would be much better. He also needs UV lighting for 12 hours a day to simulate sunshine. He is far too small to be allowed to go into hibernation.
Do you have a thermometer in the vivarium?
Is he in a vivarium?
Do you have any source of heat in his home?
Care sheets are free on my web site for my pet store.
htp://www.artsaquaticsandanimals.co.uk

Answer 2

While I am not super happy with the basic cares, they seem OK. So- was the tortoise acting funny at all? Discharge at the eyes, nose, or mouth? Not eating? Spending all of its time in the hot or cold part of the habitat?

My favorite care site is http:///www.tortoisetrust.org

Check them out and see if they have anything to offer.

Answer 3

"I know all about tortoise care"
Actually, it sounds like you don't, or this one would have survived.

"if he is dead is isn't through neglect at all"
Captive reptiles don't simply up & die for no reason. They die because they weren't cared for properly, or illness wasn't treated quickly enough. You probably don't want to hear this, but this could have been avoided.
If it is still alive, maybe it's not too late for veterinary care.

Answer 4

i have a tortoise to, his names cirelle.
i heard somewhere that tortoises harbonate, so that might be what hes doing. but it depends on the month. also it might be that hes drepressed. in that case u should get a mate for him, thats what we did when our tortoise acted that kind of way.
one way to check if he is dead is if you stick your hand inside his shell and see if he moves. or if he starts to smell....
anyway, good luck!
if he is dead then get a rabbit, their cute

Answer 5

You should have gone to the effort of reading up on basic tortoise care, rather than just letting it die due to ignorance.
I sure hope you don't just go out and buy another one.

Answer 6

he might be trying to hibernate because he is getting too cold.normally if there dead,they do not stay inside the shell,they just flop out of it.hope hes fine :)

Answer 7

take it to a vet or try waiting.