Tortoise not growing

Discussion in 'Tortoises' started by Kingkier, Jan 5, 2008.

  1. Kingkier

    Kingkier New Member

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    I have 3 marginated tortoises and one of them just isn;t growing,I feed it on it's own to make sure it gets it's fair share of food.It's kept in the same condtions,it was born and bought the same time as the other 2 so any ideas why its not growing.The vet said to feed him sepearately as he may be getting bullied for food by the other 2 but still nothing.Any help will be welcome.Cheers
     
  2. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  3. Wookie

    Wookie Well-Known Member

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    as well as food they can be bullied off of basking spots, you can try creating an additional basking spot.
    Have you had them sexed?
     
  4. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  5. strange_wings

    strange_wings Member

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    I had the same problem with some baby box turtles last year. If you can, try separating them. Like you, I was making sure the smaller one was getting it's share of the food but I couldn't sit with them 24/7 - separating fixed the problem and the small one quickly caught up in growth.
     
  6. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  7. Kingkier

    Kingkier New Member

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    Haven't had them sexed but i'm gunna post some pics on here soon in a hope that i;ll be able to get some answers.The small one i swear has no fear he isn't worried about the other ones so i;m pretty sure he's getting his fair share of heat under the b spots but i will seriously consider separating them.Cheers guys look out for my other post on here with the pics.Any more advice is always welcome
     
  8. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  9. strange_wings

    strange_wings Member

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    My littlest one was ferocious :) and I would feed it extra to the side. Myself, I contribute it more to stress then lack of food. Because it has to compete for food and maybe basking spots as well -it's just not as happy.
    Enclosure setup, sex, even the individual personality of the tortoise itself could be a factor.
    Also, in the wild, these reptiles wouldn't live in such close quarters with each other.
     

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