Turned over in the heat

Rufina

New Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2018
Messages
17
Location (City and/or State)
Medford Oregon
The other day I took my red foot outside and put her in her enclosure. An hour later I checked on her and she was on her back in the heat. When I picked her up she had a clear slimy substance all over her head and front legs. I tried cleaning her off...of course there was little cooperation on her part. I watched her for a while after bringing her inside and she seemed to be grasping for breath or ? Now I feel afraid to leave her outside by herself anymore.

Does anyone know what the substance was and was she grasping for breath or trying to cool herself down?

Also I have been concerned because she spends so much time in her hut. I take her out at least every other day for a soaking and then I feed her but rarely does she come out on her own. She gets some exercise when I take her outside to run around on the lawn for 15-20 minutes. I stay with her during this time.

Last but not least, I have become confused by all the different suggestions about heat lamps, basking lights, humidifiers,etc., etc., etc. I appreciate all the info but maybe because I’m in my late 60’s I have gotten lost. Can someone simplify the information? Maybe explain what each thing does.
 

dmmj

The member formerly known as captain awesome
10 Year Member!
Joined
Aug 15, 2008
Messages
19,698
Location (City and/or State)
CA
Your RF was drooling (saliva) in an attempt to stay cool and alive.
 

ZEROPILOT

REDFOOT WRANGLER
Moderator
Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jul 16, 2014
Messages
28,938
Location (City and/or State)
South Eastern Florida (U.S.A.)/Rock Hill S.C.
Redfoot can easily and quickly overheat in the sun.
Overheating can kill a tortoise quickly and being turned over in the heat can kill them even faster.
Shade must be provided throughout any enclosure and you must identify what it flipped over on and remove or modify that object.
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,265
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
What size redfoot? What size enclosure? What percentage of the enclosure is shaded? Got plants in there?
 

dmmj

The member formerly known as captain awesome
10 Year Member!
Joined
Aug 15, 2008
Messages
19,698
Location (City and/or State)
CA
Give us some pics of the enclosure. You probably need a lot more shade for the little guy
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
TFO Admin
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,405
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
Besides overheating while on their back in the sun, another thing to worry about is when they foam at the mouth or drool excessively, they may aspirate some of that liquid into their lungs, which eventually causes a respiratory infection.
 

kaycov

Active Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Nov 18, 2017
Messages
103
Location (City and/or State)
Lexington
Rufina, I had the exact same thing happen a few weeks ago when I put my redfoots outside for a little while. They were also in an enclosure where they had been before. I left them for about a half-hour, and when I went back out, one of them was upside down, head and neck totally extended, and he was having trouble breathing. He was also covered in a slimy, foamy coating. I rushed him in, made an immediate soak and put him in. A little later, he was better, but he still was not himself. His head continued to stay extended for about 3 days - not like it originally was, of course, but it was extended. I was very worried, but se perked back up and is perfectly fine now. I no longer leave them outside unsupervised, but it was a scary experience. I have no idea why or how he turned over, but I don't want it to happen again. I hope your guy will be just fine.
 

ZEROPILOT

REDFOOT WRANGLER
Moderator
Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jul 16, 2014
Messages
28,938
Location (City and/or State)
South Eastern Florida (U.S.A.)/Rock Hill S.C.
They will sometimes also flip over when they are mating or attempting to mate.
It's been my experience that adults most often flip over when mating. Adults generally don't climb as much as juveniles and an adults shape and strength makes flipping back over easier.
 

Rufina

New Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2018
Messages
17
Location (City and/or State)
Medford Oregon
Thank you to everyone for your comments and suggestions. I feel like I have tried so hard to provide a good home for Rufina and yet I feel like I fall short so much of the time. I love her and I will keep trying.
 

kaycov

Active Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Nov 18, 2017
Messages
103
Location (City and/or State)
Lexington
Zeropilot, These guys are about a year and a half old, and the one that was upside down is a climber - big time! The indoor pen cannot be climbed, but he will get up on the hides at times. I think he may have tried to climb the wire side of the outdoor enclosure and then fell over on his back, but who knows? I keep a close eye on them when they are outside now. Crafty little guys.
 

ZEROPILOT

REDFOOT WRANGLER
Moderator
Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jul 16, 2014
Messages
28,938
Location (City and/or State)
South Eastern Florida (U.S.A.)/Rock Hill S.C.
Zeropilot, These guys are about a year and a half old, and the one that was upside down is a climber - big time! The indoor pen cannot be climbed, but he will get up on the hides at times. I think he may have tried to climb the wire side of the outdoor enclosure and then fell over on his back, but who knows? I keep a close eye on them when they are outside now. Crafty little guys.
Yep.
They don't all act the same way. Do they?
 
Top