Very New.... Do I need to cover an outdoor tortoise pen

Smith141

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Hi! I have never owned a tortoise before this week. My husband found this Red Foot where he was working on a construction site. He watched it for a few days just to make sure it wasn't anyones. He finally said it was enough and brought it home for us to take care of it. I have no idea what I am doing. I google every second what to do. How to handle it, bathe it, feed it and make sure plants are not toxic. I am an overly concerned tortoise parent! Every time he poops I clean it up. I think he will have the cleanest pen around...lol If anyone has any suggestions or thoughts about anything I may need to know. I would truly appreciate it! Thank you - gina
 

wellington

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First was anything done to actually find the owner? Calls made to vets or animal rescues to see if anyone reported a missing tort? Posters put up or a craigslist ad? That's the first thing that should be done. Lost tortoises are not easily found.
Then is there is no found owner, you can read the caresheet on this forum.
Post a pic of it both from top and bottom and we can let you know possible sex.
 

Yvonne G

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First of all, let's see pictures of your new pet to be sure we're talking about the same species.
Next, did you put up posters around the neighborhood to try to find the animal's owner.
 

Yvonne G

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Sorry, Barb. I need to read the previous posts before I jump in.
 

ZEROPILOT

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Here in south Florida, Redfoot is a relatively common pet tortoise because they do so well here.
They are also experts at camouflage and can escape easily. So it's more likely an escaped pet than an abandoned animal.
Are you sure it's a Redfoot and not a red headed box turtle?
Can you post a photo?
 

Sarah2020

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When your a tortoise owner you get very attached, because they need so much care. I would be devastated if speedy escaped, please try to advertise and find the owner in the neighbourhood. They will be very grateful to be reunited.
 

ZEROPILOT

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Here in south Florida, Redfoot is a relatively common pet tortoise because they do so well here.
They are also experts at camouflage and can escape easily. So it's more likely an escaped pet than an abandoned animal.
Are you sure it's a Redfoot and not a red headed box turtle?
Can you post a photo?
.....And it would depend entirely on the location, size of the tortoise and predators in the area if you need a cover or not for the entire enclosure
 

ZEROPILOT

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Thank you! Would you cover the outdoor enclosure?
I'm in west Sunrise in Broward county
I currently do not have a roof over my Redfoot enclosure.
My RF are adults. My enclosure is in my secure backyard and there are few to no predators around
 
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ZEROPILOT

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Here in south Florida, Redfoot is a relatively common pet tortoise because they do so well here.
They are also experts at camouflage and can escape easily. So it's more likely an escaped pet than an abandoned animal.
Are you sure it's a Redfoot and not a red headed box turtle?
Can you post a photo?
 

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Smith141

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When your a tortoise owner you get very attached, because they need so much care. I would be devastated if speedy escaped, please try to advertise and find the owner in the neighbourhood. They will be very grateful to be reunited.
hi Sarah - I am totally understand about having a pet that you love so much. I would hate to lose him now. I am very attached myself. To answer your stressors... My husband is a remodeler in a gated 55+ community here in Florida. It was not a construction site to start. It is in a well fenced in gated neighborhood with condos. My mom is the president of the social club of her neighborhood. I posted pictures around the neighborhood. I sent an email throughout their forum for the neighborhood. Everyone in that neighborhood is much older than 55. My parents are 80 and 91. I am a real estate agent here in Florida. Everyone in that community knows me. Everyone thinks that he was just let go by a adult child of one of the residents that probably passed away. It happens unfortunately I sell a lot of units in there because of people dying and the kids don't want to pay the hoa fees monthly. They definitely DO NOT want to keep the pets from them. Most of the kids of these people aren't retired and live up north on the us east coast. So - I hope that eases everyones mind and now we can all move on to possibly helping me take care of him for a very very long time. I have no idea how old he is because he is full grown. Thank you for your concerns. I would never ever takes someones pet away from them... I am too much of an animal lover!!! Have a safe and healthy day! gina
 

Yvonne G

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I don't cover any of the yards my outdoor tortoises live in.
 

Smith141

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First of all, let's see pictures of your new pet to be sure we're talking about the same species.
Next, did you put up posters around the neighborhood to try to find the animal's owner.
 

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Smith141

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I'm in west Sunrise in Broward county
I currently do not have a roof over my Redfoot enclosure.
My RF are adults. My enclosure is in my secure backyard and there are few to no predators around
hi! My office is in Delray and Boca. I live North of that though. My backyard is fenced in and gated and I made him a cute pen now but it is not covered and I already love my little guy and I am afraid he will get hurt if its not covered. My husband thinks I am already over protective...lol But I am!!!!
 

Smith141

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@ZEROPILOT - This is him... I think its a him. He has a slight curve on the inside of his tummy
 

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Smith141

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Location (City and/or State)
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When your a tortoise owner you get very attached, because they need so much care. I would be devastated if speedy escaped, please try to advertise and find the owner in the neighbourhood. They will be very grateful to be reunited.
hi Sarah - I totally understand about having a pet that you love so much. I would hate to lose him now. I am very attached myself. To answer your stressors... My husband is a remodeler in a gated 55+ community here in Florida. It was not a construction site to start. It is in a well fenced in gated neighborhood with condos. My mom is the president of the social club of her neighborhood. I posted pictures around the neighborhood. I sent an email throughout their forum for the neighborhood. Everyone in that neighborhood is much older than 55. My parents are 80 and 91. I am a real estate agent here in Florida. Everyone in that community knows me. Everyone thinks that he was just let go by a adult child of one of the residents that probably passed away. It happens unfortunately I sell a lot of units in there because of people dying and the kids don't want to pay the hoa fees monthly. They definitely DO NOT want to keep the pets from them. Most of the kids of these people aren't retired and live up north on the us east coast. So - I hope that eases everyones mind and now we can all move on to possibly helping me take care of him for a very very long time. I have no idea how old he is because he is full grown. Thank you for your concerns. I would never ever takes someones pet away from them... I am too much of an animal lover!!! Have a safe and healthy day! gina
 

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