Tortoise not making a bowel movement

Question
We have a tortoise who has not had a bowel movement in a few weeks.  He eats strictly lettuce in a cage with a light and snake bedding as advised by the place where we purchased the tortoise from.  We are not "reptile" people and purchased this for our daughter.  Also, do you take a tortoise to a regular vet?  Please help.

Answer
Hi Debbie
I have never kept any species of tortoise but they need far more in the way of nutrition than a diet of lettuce

Please call the vets in your area and ask them if they treat reptiles and get this tortoise in for an exam ASAP

Possible ingestion the aspen bedding could have caused a blockage in his intestines

Here are two care sheets for tortoise's that include diet -proper basking temps and UV lighting among other things that you need to know if you want this guy to live a long healthy life and they do live for a very long time with the correct care

I know that you are going by what was told you in the pet store but they gave you the wrong info on keeping this creature healthy and happy

The first one lists specific species care and should be of some help to you
Find your tortoise's species-by pic and read the care for him

It will help you give him the correct care in captivity

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/care/care.html

http://www.chelonia.org/care.htm

Good Luck to you and your daughters tortoise

Sandy aka LadyGecko