A pet tortoise needs a calm, anxiety-free lifestyle to avoid stress and the onset of ill health. As ectotherms, tortoises rely on external warmth and humidity for their bodies to […]
Health
Why Can’t My Tortoise Open Its Mouth?
Tortoises keep their mouths closed unless eating, drinking, or attempting to cool off. A tortoise should be able to comfortably open and close its beak without obstruction. Unfortunately, pet tortoises […]
How Do I Know If My Tortoise Is Egg Bound?
Egg binding occurs when a gravid tortoise can’t lay her eggs. This means the eggs remain trapped inside the body with life-threatening implications. The eggs can lacerate bodily tissue, causing […]
Why Tortoises Get Sepsis (And How It’s Treated)
A healthy tortoise’s immune system will naturally fight off many harmful pathogens. However, septicemia can occur when bacteria multiply and spread unchecked. Septicemia and sepsis are often used interchangeably but […]
Irregular Scutes on Tortoises (5 Different Problems)
A tortoise’s most iconic feature is its scutes. Aside from aesthetics, scutes are vital to a tortoise’s health and well-being. Unfortunately, different health ailments can adversely affect the scutes. All […]
Can A Tortoise Survive Without Its Shell?
Tortoises have a hard outer shell, not just scales like most reptiles. They’re born with shells that increase in size to accommodate their age-related growth and development. No, a tortoise […]
How To Tell If A Tortoise Has Worms
Every tortoise carries worms. Unfortunately, if a tortoise’s natural immunity is compromised by stress, hibernation, or sickness, internal parasites like worms could adversely affect its health. You can tell if […]
Can A Tortoise Get Constipated? (My Tortoise Isn’t Pooping)
Tortoises don’t poop as much as other animals, but they can still get constipated. Tortoises that can’t poop will become lethargic and disinterested in food, appearing distressed and uncomfortable. Tortoises […]
Treating Respiratory Infections in Tortoises (Vet + Home Aftercare)
If ignored or left untreated, respiratory infections can be life-threatening because tortoises lack a diaphragm, meaning the chest and abdomen aren’t separated. The tortoise can’t cough up mucus, so it […]