How Do I Know If My Tortoise Is Deceased?

Mortymoose

Mortymoose

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Came back from my travelling spree across the African Subcontinent to be greeted with a motionless tortoise..... The wife adding, "His been like that for two days..."

His four reptilian legs sticking out.........

I had seen this before, but not as long, where he had been motionless and non responsive to anything..... but never this long....

Another thing bothered me, why had the ants not feasted on him if he was deceased.......

I was issued with instructions to bury the beast, but scared he might be alive....

How will I know.....?

:unsure:

/Moose fancies Skilpaadtjies on Wednesday with his braai.....
 
If he starts to stink it would probably be a sign.
 
Last edited:
www.foodrepublic.com

Classic Turtle Soup Recipe - Food Republic

Danny Trace is Executive Chef at Brennan's (same good folks as New Orleans legend Commander's Palace) and says it's turtle soup season! A few words of encouragement... Turtle soup has been served here at Brennan's since it opened 43 years ago. It's by far the most popular dish. You always get...
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Ours normally sleeps from around May- Aug, then starts poking its head out when temps start increasing. Around this early reawakening period, she'll react even if you touch her shell whilst she's still snoozing.

Hope yours is just having a late lie-in, Moose
 
3WA said:
www.foodrepublic.com

Classic Turtle Soup Recipe - Food Republic

Danny Trace is Executive Chef at Brennan's (same good folks as New Orleans legend Commander's Palace) and says it's turtle soup season! A few words of encouragement... Turtle soup has been served here at Brennan's since it opened 43 years ago. It's by far the most popular dish. You always get...
www.foodrepublic.com www.foodrepublic.com
Click to expand...
Too soon
 
Take the tortoise to the vet. My wild tortoise has become a "pet" and I know if I found it in the same position for over a day with no movement, I'd start to worry. Who knows. Tortoises are strange creatures.
 
bwana said:
Move it around when the wife isn’t watching.
Click to expand...

Though this could be really hilarious, I get the impression that his wife doesn't pay much attention to the tortoise in general and would not give it's moving around a second thought.

(unlike the guy that moved around the front door garden gnome and frightening his daughter)
 
Did you touch it and see if there's movement ? Pick it up. Scratch the shell above it's head.
 
Here's more than I think I ever knew about tortoises. UK based, but it seems tortoises hibernate when it's very cold. Scroll down to "Is a tortoise dead or hibernating? Here's how to tell". It gives some suggestions as to how to tell:
www.tortoiseowner.com

"Is My Tortoise Dead or Hibernating?" Here's How to Tell | Tortoise Owner

When a tortoise goes into hibernation, they will slow their metabolism down to almost nothing. That makes it appear as if he isn't alive. His breathing will slow, hie heart rate will drop, his temperature will plummet, and he'll stop eating and drinking. It really does look like death, but don't...
www.tortoiseowner.com www.tortoiseowner.com
 
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