Tortoises are susceptible to shell problems, especially during their formative years. Shell pyramiding occurs due to dietary, sunlight, substrate, or humidity oversights. Unfortunately, pyramiding can’t be reversed, but you can […]
Health
Can A Tortoise Survive Without Its Shell? [Here’s Why It Won’t Live]
Tortoises differ from other reptiles because they have a hard outer shell, not just scales. Tortoises are born with shells, which grow during their physical development. Their bones, nerves, blood […]
Can A Tortoise Get Constipated? [My Tortoise Isn’t Pooping]
Tortoises don’t poop as much as other animals but can become constipated. Tortoises that can’t poop will become lethargic and disinterested in food, appearing stressed and uncomfortable. Tortoises develop hard […]
How To Tell If A Tortoise Is Dead or Hibernating
Tortoises don’t technically hibernate; they brumate. A tortoise will reduce its activity to almost zero, hold still, and avoid eating. It’ll still wake up at times for water, but any […]
Do Tortoises Need Direct Sunlight?
As cold-blooded reptiles, tortoises rely on external heat to regulate their internal temperatures. This usually comes from exposure to direct sunlight. Tortoises rely on UVB rays, basking for hours at […]
Can Tortoises Get Heatstroke?
Unlike turtles, tortoises cope better in hot climates. The desert tortoise is native to the Mojave and Sonoran deserts, where rainfall is limited and scorching heats are frequent. Even still, […]
Can A Tortoise Be Overweight?
Weight gain or obesity occurs when a tortoise is fed too much food too frequently. It can also occur when the tortoise is inactive and doesn’t burn enough calories each […]
Why Did My Tortoise Vomit? [12 Common Causes]
Vomiting is the body’s way of forcibly ejecting harmful foods and substances from the stomach. Unfortunately, this process can be dangerous for tortoises, leading to dehydration. Also, if the tortoise […]
Why Tortoises Get Sepsis (And How It’s Treated)
A tortoise’s immune system will naturally remove germs, but if the number of germs increases and spreads, septicemia becomes a more significant risk. Septicemia and sepsis are often used interchangeably, […]