My tortoise is buried, has sunken eyes & eye residue. Is he sick?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
For the last 2 months my tortoise has kept himself completely buried in his enclosure and wouldn’t come out unless I made him so he could soak and eat but then he would just bury himself again. He’s indoors and has proper temps and lighting. Yesterday he was out on his own and I saw a white residue around his eyes. I gave him a nice long soak and he was very active the rest of the day. Today he’s out again but his eyes look a bit sunken in. Could he be sick or just recovering from being buried?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on February 20th, 2018
He may have been hibernating/brumating. Continue with the daily soaks in warm water or a 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. Get him eating if he isn't already. If the behavior persists, have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose illness.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on August 11th, 2017
Check the lighting in his enclosure. It may be too bright for him which can be irritating. Rinse his eyes with a sterile saline solution in case he has debris from the substrate. An exam with your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles would be needed to diagnose eye infection or injury. Another possibility may be a Vitamin A deficiency. Feed a good quality commercial diet as well as dark, leafy greens (spinach, collard greens, dandelion greens, etc), carrots, squash and broccoli. Dust food with a calcium and multivitamin supplement as well.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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