RED FOOTED TORTOISE QUESTIONS THAT I CAN'T FIND ANSWERS TO

[MichelleK]

Hello,

I've been researching tortoises for about six months now and am considering adding a red footed tortoise to my family. I've never had a tortoise before, so this will be a first for me. If I do get a RF, it will be an inside tortoise with outside time when the weather is nice. I'm hoping someone can answer some questions I have that I haven't found the answer to.

1. How often do RF's go potty each day?
a. When they do go, do they do their business separately (meaning urinate and defecate), or do they do their business all at the same time like some lizards or a bird?
b. Do they or their "business" smell strongly?
c. Do RF's tend to go potty in the same area or is it just anywhere?

2. How often does the enclosure need to be spot cleaned and completely cleaned?

3. When letting an RF have roam time inside, how long can you do so without it becoming stressed from temperature changes?

4. Is it true that RF's tend to be friendly, outgoing, curious and enjoy spending time with their human? Please share your experiences.

5. Are you supposed to feed them every day or skip a day or two each week? I've read contradicting information on this.

6. Do you need to keep their beak and nails trimmed? How long is too long?

These are all the questions I can think of for now. I'm sure I'll think of more that I can't find the answer to. Thank you in advance for all your help! ; ]

 

[tortadise]

1. How often do RF's go potty each day?

Tortoises gut is rather slow. They begin digesting at 80 degrees so they will deficate daily once kept warm, and fed daily.

a. When they do go, do they do their business separately (meaning urinate and defecate), or do they do their business all at the same time like some lizards or a bird?

Yes they can urinate/deficate at the same time, or just each on there own

b. Do they or their "business" smell strongly?

It can, but so can humans, dogs, cats, birds, and even fish tanks.

c. Do RF's tend to go potty in the same area or is it just anywhere?

They go when needed. They cannot be trained to use a litter box or anything like that.

2. How often does the enclosure need to be spot cleaned and completely cleaned?

As often as possible. The cleaner the environment the less likely you are to have any smells, soiled mulch, orany contaminated areas in the enclosure.

3. When letting an RF have roam time inside, how long can you do so without it becoming stressed from temperature changes?

Redfoots should not be let outside to roam inside a house, the need to be confined to a properly set up enclosure, and or outside enclosure. They are creatures of habit and live off patterned routines, of eat, walk, bask, sleep, eat, and stare at things.

4. Is it true that RF's tend to be friendly, outgoing, curious and enjoy spending time with their human? Please share your experiences.

Yes Redfoots often show a very gregarious nature. They won't come when called, whistled or anything like that. But they are curious and will often come up to you when bigger. Mostly looking for food.

5. Are you supposed to feed them every day or skip a day or two each week? I've read contradicting information on this.

Feed them as much as they will eat. Provided that they have enough room to walk, and get enough exercise to maintain a proper muscle and bone development. Believe it or not tortoises can get obese.

6. Do you need to keep their beak and nails trimmed? How long is too long?

If they are fed on a terra cotter saucer or slate rock this will keep the beak trimmed. The nails will also be filed down if given adequate substrates and exercise. Poor diet and lack of minerals and calcium can also contribute to excess beak growth.

There you go. They for sure are not a dog or cat.

 

[Ashes]

^^^ Yeah, he covered it.

 

[christinaland128]

My reds go potty when I soak them. They also go when they're eating. Very rarely do they go any other time. I agree with all of the above.

 

[tortdad]

Rf are awesome

 

[terryo]

My Cherry Head RF is pretty big now, and has a nice size outdoor garden, and this AM I went into the yard to feed him and the yard smelled like a zoo. You just can't imagine when he's inside how bad it is. That answer's one of your questions. LOL

 

[MichelleK]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I appreciate the feedback. Now I'm rethinking the tortoise type. Perhaps a hermann or russian. Any feedback? Thank you in advance.

 

[tortdad]

Russians make a great 1st tort. They're very hardy and only get to be about 9"+\-

If you get one from a pet store just know it is most likely wild caught (WC) and at 4" long it's most likely 6 or so years old. Most of the time you go into petco they will tell you they're still babies but it's not so. There are many great breeders here if you want a younger captive bred (CB) tort.

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

All the info. You got is great but I would nt let any tort walk around the house torts like to try to eat everything fuss on the carpet and unlike a cat they cannt spit up fur balls , they don't walk around anything they climb through it ( light cords ) a house is very unsafe !


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[AnnV]

I would say that while they can't be trained to come when called, they can be 'conditioned' to come to you. My two redfoots jump into action upon sight of me and will practically run right over, if the are hungry. And now that they are bigger (4 years) they are always hungry!
My Indian Star is not so anxious to come for food, but if he is awake and moving around already, he will head right over to see what I have for him.

 

[tortoise90]

1 When ever you want.

 

[tortoise90]

A. Sepretly

 

[tortoise90]

B. Only a little bit

 

[tortoise90]

C. Anywhere

 

[tortoise90]

2. 1 per month

 

[kathyth]

I love my Redfoots but their poo does stink
I have heard that this is related to their protein intake which is essential.

 

[tortoise90]

3 When ever it wants

 

[tortoise90]

Yes it is true I hav 2

 

[tortoise90]

5 Skip two days

 

[tortoise90]

6 Never is to long