Meet Bonsai my rescue Red Foot!

Hi all, I am not super new to the forum but I haven't had a tort in about 4 years now... Anyway, I just adopted Bonsai from a local reptile shelter! Before ending up at a shelter Bonsai reportedly lived in a school courtyard for over 10 years! how a red foot survived those harsh Ohio winters... unless the courtyard was indoors I have no idea... I've only had Bonsai for a few days so he may eventually come out of his shell a bit more but currently, he does not like people which is understandable due to his past. He eats very well when alone and is very active, but once I'm around he hides. He is extremely cautious and hissy right now, but again If I lived comfortably in a large area for over 10 years only to be thrown into a shelter with people I don't know and chickens ( yes the shelter kept him with chickens) and then taken to another entirely new place I'd be grumpy too lol. I'm giving him his space for now but hopefully, he gets a little more comfortable with his new home and gets out of his shell a little more.

He looks pretty darned good!

I wonder if kids have teased him during his stay at school.

The evil things we so in the name of education.

Yvonne G said:

He looks pretty darned good!

I wonder if kids have teased him during his stay at school.

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that's what I thought. school kids can be very cruel. there was a courtyard when i was in high school and some ducks and ducklings got in there somehow. They were fine until some mean kids decided to throw rocks at them. luckily wildlife rescue came and took them to a safer environment. Bonsai was " a class pet" of sorts for the whole school but when they decided he didn't fit in the budget the faculty didn't even take him to the rescue, the maintenance man did. they dropped him off without a name too which is kinda sad. you would think at least one teacher would take him in or try to help him find a loving home. I'm just glad I know he is in a good place now.

It took a couple months for a nice female box turtle to get over being poked and prodded by school kids (after she was turned back in to my rescue).

awe, well I'm definitely going to take it slow with him. he's definitely had it rough. I am taking him to the vet in a few weeks just for an overall exam to make sure he is healthy, he isn't going to like it though lol.

He looks really good considering the circumstances! Thanks for rescuing him.

Toddrickfl1 said:

He looks really good considering the circumstances! Thanks for rescuing him.

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I know I was surprised he had no reported health problems! I still want a vet to check him over though just in case, it's better to be safe than sorry.

spoilers said:

I know I was surprised he had no reported health problems! I still want a vet to check him over though just in case, it's better to be safe than sorry.

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No pyramiding either!

Nice looking male. What’s his SCL?

Anyfoot said:

Nice looking male. What’s his SCL?

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I'm unsure right now, I don't want to mess with him too much right now but he is pretty big... he just barely fits into an 18" long pet carrier so i'm guessing around 15" or so

So good of you to give him a home, he is stunning. Congratulations and I hope he learns to trust you and relax into his new home soon