Adopted Redfoot.. Sorry so long

[Mikki]

Hi, THIS WILL BE LONG, I apologize..

I now have a redfoot that I took in. I have an African Spur Tortoise that I've posted online and someone reached out to me asking if I'd be interested in taking their redfoot because the tortoise doesn't get the time or attention it needs and they were impressed with how I care for my Scooter the Sulcata. So I said yes, after gig to the house and meeting Rosie. I made an outdoor area with a house, ran electric and got set up for the tortoise. The owner told me Rosie is about 2 years old but I'm thinking older. Rosie is a male I found out when soaking which the owner did not do. Rosie did not have a house outside, just hiding places and she only brought Rosie onto the back porch if the temps were dropping below 60. She fed mazuri pellets went other day and fruit. She said she'd give greens but I seriously don't think Rosie ever ate greens because I've tried
Dandelion
Endive
Escarole
Romaine
Bok choy
Kale
Collard Greens
Cucumbers (not a green but tried)
Squash
Cactus
Rosie would not touch ANY OF THEM! I've tried mixing with the pellets and fruit and still won't touch the pellets if mixed in greens. Rosie was not getting anything but these pellets and fruit I believe and that includes no protein or calcium. The shell looks great, no pyramiding BUT I'm not ok with this pellet diet only. I did give Rosie a pinky the other day and he gobbled it right down. I do have superworms I tried and he looked curious but did not eat. So the worms have to alive? I got a cuttle bone and scraped some on the pellets again wouldn't eat. My Scooter would eat the calcium right out of the jar I'd let him, he loves his calcium! Rosie is not use to an outside enclosure and my question is do redfoots put themselves to need in their outside enclosures like a Sulcata will do? I'm hoping Rosie will get use to it. I have heat emitter in the house and right now I'm using an igloo until we can build an insulated house like my Scooter has. I do have flaps in the door way, it's off the ground and the door we made for it pulls down which then it turns into a bridge Rosie uses to go into the house. I'm in Florida(Tampa Bay area) and even on chilly nights the temps hold which I've set to 74. I set it to 74 because Rosie is use to being outside in the 60s and on a back porch with no heat under 60 and if can get low 40s to high 30s for about a month. I do spray down the substrate I use. I have only seen Rosie poop when I soak him. He's drinks water for me but I have to offer it, there is water at all times in his fenced in area and a drip pan Rosie can use for soaking in his own which the said Rosie poops in the water every day and I've yet to see that unless I soak in my tub.
So my questions are:
1. do the worms need to be alive
2.What do I do about my eating the greens. Maybe if I mix with a protein he will eat then. Idk I've tried mixing with pellets & with fruit already
3. What temp should I have the igloo home set at for night
4. What other protein can I give besides a pinky and his often? Can I give tuna in water and do I give the whole can?
5. Will Rosie get use to the enclosure and put himself to bed in it? I want to keep the door open but he wants to be outside no matter how cold it is
6. Is the pellet diet enough protein & calcium or should I offer both on top of feeding the LS diet pellets which Rosie will only eat the very tiny pellets not the big ones.
7. What kind of weeds, grass etc can I offer. I've tried hibiscus leaves and nope didn't touch.
I feel bad with no window on an igloo so I know it's dark if I close the door but on a high 50-60 degree day that's not sunny and chilly I'm afraid to let him just be outside. He hides in this cave we made by cutting a big blue water barrel in 1/2 when it's an icky day. I will build a beautiful home for him like Scooter has in the spring because we are going to move the fence to make the areas bigger for both tortoises. I'm on 3 acres. Scooter has a plantation shutter on his house that I had customized to fit his window.

I apologize this was so so long but I needed to give the full description and issues plus what I've tried for ya'll to understand. I've read and read on redfoots before getting him but my Sulcata has a completely different diet, temp needed etc.
I also do have a wireless temp sensor inside the igloo so I can see what the temp is from inside my home.

Thank you in advance to anyone who will read this book and respond.

 

[Anastasia 22]

Hello!
I'm a new RF mama. And I had similar issues with her diet. I tried almost everything. Finally, I found out that Ivy likes bananas, strawberries, cantaloupe, but her favorite is mango. She still doesn't want any vegetables. I didn't feed her warms, but I gave to her cat food (high quality). She absolutely loved it. Now I mix cat food with greens and she eats it.
The temperature in her enclosure is 85F, humidity is 85. I

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hello!
1. No, you don't have to feed live worms. I've never had troubles feeding any form of protein to my redfoot (frozen-thawed, dried-rehydrated, live, immobilized, cooked, raw). They're protein junkies.
2. I feel your pain Mine is a picky eater too. Mixing greens with mushrooms, fruit, pellets or protein is a way to go. Chop a small amount of greens first, do really fine cut and "treat" food should be mushed and smeared over greens. In a while Rosie will get the idea of "edible greens" and there will be less hassle to introduce new foods. Hibiscus flowers and radicchio are something to start with.
3. I would set igloo to 82-84F.
4. Protein is around 10% of their diet, 1-2 times a week (depends on amount). Head size portion is a good measure. Skipping a week or two is fine (especially for outdoor tortoises who can dig out some night crawlers or roly-polies outside). Sources: boiled without salt low-fat meats (chicken breast, fish, shrimp), boiled egg with shell, invertebrates (isopods, earthworms, superworms, immobilised crickets or roaches, black soldier fly larvae, occasional waxworm or silkworm), high quality cat food ("weight control" formulas, grain-free are preferred). Mushrooms from a grocery store are fine to feed as well (technicaly, not an animal protein but fit the same schedule).
5. I hope so. They can learn some routines and "warm up" spaces.
6. Mazuri LS doesn't have animal protein, so you'll need to supplement it, as well as fruit. Calcium in form of cuttlebone and powder (once a week) is desirable. Fruit, animal protein sources and mushrooms are usually low in calcium so little boost wont't harm.
7. Greens good for your sulcata will be good for Rosie too. With an exception of grasses and hay. Hibiscus, mallow, mulberry, grape, dandelions, broadleaf plantain etc - are good staples. In general, leafy and juicy plants are preferred by redfoots over stemmy and fibrous. Succulents are hit or miss - I know some redfoots eat opuntia pads and some (like mine) don't consider it edible at all.

Closing igloo and leaving tortoise in the dark is not that scary. They reuse animal burrows and hide under fallen logs to escape unfavorable weather and are not super keen of bright lights, generally.

Thank you for taking care of Rosie, by the way. If I've missed something - feel free to ask more questions.

 

[Mikki]

Hello!
1. No, you don't have to feed live worms. I've never had troubles feeding any form of protein to my redfoot (frozen-thawed, dried-rehydrated, live, immobilized, cooked, raw). They're protein junkies.
2. I feel your pain Mine is a picky eater too. Mixing greens with mushrooms, fruit, pellets or protein is a way to go. Chop a small amount of greens first, do really fine cut and "treat" food should be mushed and smeared over greens. In a while Rosie will get the idea of "edible greens" and there will be less hassle to introduce new foods. Hibiscus flowers and radicchio are something to start with.
3. I would set igloo to 82-84F.
4. Protein is around 10% of their diet, 1-2 times a week (depends on amount). Head size portion is a good measure. Skipping a week or two is fine (especially for outdoor tortoises who can dig out some night crawlers or roly-polies outside). Sources: boiled without salt low-fat meats (chicken breast, fish, shrimp), boiled egg with shell, invertebrates (isopods, earthworms, superworms, immobilised crickets or roaches, black soldier fly larvae, occasional waxworm or silkworm), high quality cat food ("weight control" formulas, grain-free are preferred). Mushrooms from a grocery store are fine to feed as well (technicaly, not an animal protein but fit the same schedule).
5. I hope so. They can learn some routines and "warm up" spaces.
6. Mazuri LS doesn't have animal protein, so you'll need to supplement it, as well as fruit. Calcium in form of cuttlebone and powder (once a week) is desirable. Fruit, animal protein sources and mushrooms are usually low in calcium so little boost wont't harm.
7. Greens good for your sulcata will be good for Rosie too. With an exception of grasses and hay. Hibiscus, mallow, mulberry, grape, dandelions, broadleaf plantain etc - are good staples. In general, leafy and juicy plants are preferred by redfoots over stemmy and fibrous. Succulents are hit or miss - I know some redfoots eat opuntia pads and some (like mine) don't consider it edible at all.

Closing igloo and leaving tortoise in the dark is not that scary. They reuse animal burrows and hide under fallen logs to escape unfavorable weather and are not super keen of bright lights, generally.

Thank you for taking care of Rosie, by the way. If I've missed something - feel free to ask more questions.

THANK YOU! I did offer mushrooms and Rosie loved those. Can I offer those more often? Its freaking me out that he won't ear greens and I've tried so many different ones. I forgot to put mushrooms down on that book I wrote because he's denied more that I've offered I wanted to put what he won't eat. I did read about the cat food but I also read can tuna in water for protein is that ok?. I have read they can be as cold as 60 at night but high 80s. That's a huge difference and I wanted to turn the heat up in the igloo at night time but I wanted to confirm this with others since Rosie has never been in an enclosure and the owner told me they never brought Rosie in unless it was under 60 and then at that point it on to the back porch with no heat so he isn't used to it. I just wanted to make sure since he's not use to that heat it won't make him sick. I hate using the igloo but I just could not build something right now. Can you please give me a what is considered high quality cat food? I don't own a cat and Is tuna fish in water ok? I did get superworms so I'll try those. Lastly do redfoots put themselves in their own outdoor enclosures at bed time, because my Sulcata does and I'm good with Rosie not doing I'm just hoping eventually he'll like being in an enclosure. This is the enclosure we built for my Sulcata and Rosie will have this too when we build in the spring

 

[Mikki]

Hello!
I'm a new RF mama. And I had similar issues with her diet. I tried almost everything. Finally, I found out that Ivy likes bananas, strawberries, cantaloupe, but her favorite is mango. She still doesn't want any vegetables. I didn't feed her warms, but I gave to her cat food (high quality). She absolutely loved it. Now I mix cat food with greens and she eats it.
The temperature in her enclosure is 85F, humidity is 85. I

Thank you so much for replying! I forgot to put down that mushrooms I've tried and Rosie loves them. Can you give me a type of cat food please because I don't own a cat and have no clue what's high quality. Also I'm assuming tuna in water is not ok or is it? The enclosure I'll turn up the heat, I was just concerned since he's never had it that I would make him sick. Goodness seems like he was neglected from the nutrition he needs and I need to get this fixed for Rosie. It really bothers me he was offered protein and only this mazuri diet every other day. Thank you again so much.

 

[Anastasia 22]

Thank you so much for replying! I forgot to put down that mushrooms I've tried and Rosie loves them. Can you give me a type of cat food please because I don't own a cat and have no clue what's high quality. Also I'm assuming tuna in water is not ok or is it? The enclosure I'll turn up the heat, I was just concerned since he's never had it that I would make him sick. Goodness seems like he was neglected from the nutrition he needs and I need to get this fixed for Rosie. It really bothers me he was offered protein and only this mazuri diet every other day. Thank you again so much.

I use Purina (chicken and turkey). I tried Nulo, but it has a funny smell . Ivy was not impressed with shredded chicken in broth.
Heat and humidity are best friends for my girl. I got ultrasonic humidifier and I put several containers full of water in her enclosure.
I hope Rosie will adjust better life soon!!!!! Thank you for taking care of him!!!

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

THANK YOU! I did offer mushrooms and Rosie loved those. Can I offer those more often? Its freaking me out that he won't ear greens and I've tried so many different ones. I forgot to put mushrooms down on that book I wrote because he's denied more that I've offered I wanted to put what he won't eat. I did read about the cat food but I also read can tuna in water for protein is that ok?. I have read they can be as cold as 60 at night but high 80s. That's a huge difference and I wanted to turn the heat up in the igloo at night time but I wanted to confirm this with others since Rosie has never been in an enclosure and the owner told me they never brought Rosie in unless it was under 60 and then at that point it on to the back porch with no heat so he isn't used to it. I just wanted to make sure since he's not use to that heat it won't make him sick. I hate using the igloo but I just could not build something right now. Can you please give me a what is considered high quality cat food? I don't own a cat and Is tuna fish in water ok? I did get superworms so I'll try those. Lastly do redfoots put themselves in their own outdoor enclosures at bed time, because my Sulcata does and I'm good with Rosie not doing I'm just hoping eventually he'll like being in an enclosure. This is the enclosure we built for my Sulcata and Rosie will have this too when we build in the spring

Rosie simply doesn't associate looks and smell of greens with food. This will take time. I can try "aromatic" greens like arugula, mixed with Mazuri so he can get used to the smell first. Hand-feeding also helps sometimes.

Tuna in water is okay, but I doubt you can find one without salt. Very likely, it's gonna be canned tuna for cats. As of cat/dog foods - look at ingredients. Ideally, you want low-fat, grain-free, high protein "whole" meat (with skin, cartilages and such). Many brands make such "premium" kibble (rehydrate it first!) and wet foods. I prefer to cook meat without salt for myself (e.g. for noodle soup) and cut a piece for my tortoise. After that I add salt and spices and finish cooking.

---

Most redfoots inhabit areas where temperature stays in 80+F all year round with drops in 70s at the night time (and they usually stay in burrows where temperatures are more stable). Their documented preferred core body temperature is around 82F. They don't bask a lot (just 15-30 minutes in the morning and in the afternoon). And they need high humidity environment (80+%). With all that in mind, I would not leave Rosie in 60s at night. Very similar thing is with sulcatas (a lot of them got an RI when they were kept in 60-70F at night).

Yes, redfoots can tolerate and survive in wide temperature range (some populations live in rather harsh climate). Yet, I would prefer to keep mine in more optimal conditions. Their behaviour in cold weather also isn't very reliable - my RF parks in the coldest and the darkest corner waiting for the warm weather instead of going to bask in the sunpatch.

 

[Mikki]

Rosie simply doesn't associate looks and smell of greens with food. This will take time. I can try "aromatic" greens like arugula, mixed with Mazuri so he can get used to the smell first. Hand-feeding also helps sometimes.

Tuna in water is okay, but I doubt you can find one without salt. Very likely, it's gonna be canned tuna for cats. As of cat/dog foods - look at ingredients. Ideally, you want low-fat, grain-free, high protein "whole" meat (with skin, cartilages and such). Many brands make such "premium" kibble (rehydrate it first!) and wet foods. I prefer to cook meat without salt for myself (e.g. for noodle soup) and cut a piece for my tortoise. After that I add salt and spices and finish cooking.

---

Most redfoots inhabit areas where temperature stays in 80+F all year round with drops in 70s at the night time (and they usually stay in burrows where temperatures are more stable). Their documented preferred core body temperature is around 82F. They don't bask a lot (just 15-30 minutes in the morning and in the afternoon). And they need high humidity environment (80+%). With all that in mind, I would not leave Rosie in 60s at night. Very similar thing is with sulcatas (a lot of them got an RI when they were kept in 60-70F at night).

Yes, redfoots can tolerate and survive in wide temperature range (some populations live in rather harsh climate). Yet, I would prefer to keep mine in more optimal conditions. Their behaviour in cold weather also isn't very reliable - my RF parks in the coldest and the darkest corner waiting for the warm weather instead of going to bask in the sunpatch.

THANK YOU! You have given me much info I was looking for. Ya'll have been so helpful! Rosie has always been in colder weather during the Florida winters and never had an outside enclosure. Honestly I was very worried about Rosie when I got him because when he's walking around I can hear like a whistling but it's mainly when the neck is out and he's smelling hard after my dogs poop. My dogs are separate from Rosie and they can't see each other but their fenced area is next to Rosie. Rosie does the same when my African Spur is out doing the daily pacing they do along the fence line which in on the other side of Rosie. Rosie has been much much more active after I've offered protein and is eating better so that's why I'm not really concerned about the sound. Rosie had this since I got him and that's been about a month now. I didn't realize dry food was ok if it's soaked down. My question is about cat food, chicken is OK correct? Chicken, tuna or fish are all ok as long as I follow the ingredients you've given? Rosie had squash and zucchini that which he loved!! Rosie has had a pinky and I'm assuming frozen or live because Rosie ate a pinky both ways but I only gave those because he's only been on this Mazuri diet and fruit. I wanted him to have protein.. I would rather not give those. I was shocked he ate them honestly because he's never had them. He sure liked it tho. Are apples ok? He loves blueberries but won't touch strawberries. I've tried cactus and wouldn't touch it but I'll try again. My Sulcata can have arugula so I'll try that also for Rosie just in case he won't eat it I know it won't go to waste. Rosie absolutely loves mushrooms but how often can I offer mushrooms? Can I offer a chicken bone to maybe shave down the beak? The beak is looking a little over grown. He won't touch the cuttle bone and the owner only fed out of a small dog bowl so I'm trying to get him use to the terracotta dish. The owner said Rosie was female but NOPE I knew that day 2 of having him because I soaked him and put me on notice I had a male. Plus his shell is very concaved. Rosie loved the soaking and pooped so so much it liked like a whole month of poop. I had to change the water 3x that's how much he went. I'll turn the heat up in the enclosure. I hate using this igloo but we did what we could to make it better for now. I do have cypress mulch & coconut coir with peat moss mixed together. I do wet it down for humidity. I am assuming I need to change it every few months but I want to try clean soil next time. Do you have any other suggestions for substrate? I have 2 heat emitter bulbs one in a cage like fixture and another in an enclosed like fixtures the ones you'd use for a basking bulb. I just hate no light in there yet especially if we have an icky cold day here and Rosie shouldn't be outside. My sulcata won't go outside if it's chilly and loves his home. I cross my heart my sulcata is potty trained. He's 4 and hasn't gone potty in his house in about 2.5 years. This took me about a year to do and a very strict routine. I've spent hours daily with him and he's really such a good boy. I've had him since a hatchling and started the training when he was about 4 months old. Scooter will go outside in 40 degree weather to poop and straight back in the house OR just doesn't go. Rosie tho comes outside immediately when I open the door no matter if it's cold or not. If it's an icky day and to cold I'll have to keep the door shut which I hate. There are flaps on the door way too. Like on Sunday it will be a low of 37 and high in the 60s. If the sun is out that's great but if not and it's a chilly windy day he'll still come out. So do I keep him locked in OR open the door and let him out? This is a photo of Rosie and Scooter. I also sent a video of something I've trained Scooter to do along with a video of his outdoor shower and his area. I hope you'll be able to view the video. Rosie does have the same thing and hiding places. You'll see a cave like that we built for Scooter because he doesn't dig and I did the same for Rosie. Behind Scooters house you'll see a sun shade up and that's Rosies area. I put up a sunshade over Scooters pool area and it keeps it cool all day. Thank you again so so much.. I appreciate your responses to my questions in advance and again so sorry about the book I wrote.

 

[Mikki]

I use Purina (chicken and turkey). I tried Nulo, but it has a funny smell . Ivy was not impressed with shredded chicken in broth.
Heat and humidity are best friends for my girl. I got ultrasonic humidifier and I put several containers full of water in her enclosure.
I hope Rosie will adjust better life soon!!!!! Thank you for taking care of him!!!

I will say after giving protein, squash, mushrooms and zucchini for a few times he's so so much more active. He's up walking around a few hours a day now and is coming out of hiding when he sees me now.. I just can't believe how active he's become and I'm loving it!

 

[Mikki]

Rosie simply doesn't associate looks and smell of greens with food. This will take time. I can try "aromatic" greens like arugula, mixed with Mazuri so he can get used to the smell first. Hand-feeding also helps sometimes.

Tuna in water is okay, but I doubt you can find one without salt. Very likely, it's gonna be canned tuna for cats. As of cat/dog foods - look at ingredients. Ideally, you want low-fat, grain-free, high protein "whole" meat (with skin, cartilages and such). Many brands make such "premium" kibble (rehydrate it first!) and wet foods. I prefer to cook meat without salt for myself (e.g. for noodle soup) and cut a piece for my tortoise. After that I add salt and spices and finish cooking.

---

Most redfoots inhabit areas where temperature stays in 80+F all year round with drops in 70s at the night time (and they usually stay in burrows where temperatures are more stable). Their documented preferred core body temperature is around 82F. They don't bask a lot (just 15-30 minutes in the morning and in the afternoon). And they need high humidity environment (80+%). With all that in mind, I would not leave Rosie in 60s at night. Very similar thing is with sulcatas (a lot of them got an RI when they were kept in 60-70F at night).

Yes, redfoots can tolerate and survive in wide temperature range (some populations live in rather harsh climate). Yet, I would prefer to keep mine in more optimal conditions. Their behaviour in cold weather also isn't very reliable - my RF parks in the coldest and the darkest corner waiting for the warm weather instead of going to bask in the sunpatch.

I APOLOGIZE! The photos downloaded so blurry and the videos didn't attach. I really wanted to show you the area. So bummed! If you know how I can put a 7 sec video on here let me know.

 

[Anastasia 22]

I will say after giving protein, squash, mushrooms and zucchini for a few times he's so so much more active. He's up walking around a few hours a day now and is coming out of hiding when he sees me now.. I just can't believe how active he's become and I'm loving it!

Aw, that's awesome! Good job!!!

 

[Anastasia 22]

I APOLOGIZE! The photos downloaded so blurry and the videos didn't attach. I really wanted to show you the area. So bummed! If you know how I can put a 7 sec video on here let me know.

You can download your video on YouTube and post a link here

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

THANK YOU! You have given me much info I was looking for. Ya'll have been so helpful! Rosie has always been in colder weather during the Florida winters and never had an outside enclosure. Honestly I was very worried about Rosie when I got him because when he's walking around I can hear like a whistling but it's mainly when the neck is out and he's smelling hard after my dogs poop. My dogs are separate from Rosie and they can't see each other but their fenced area is next to Rosie. Rosie does the same when my African Spur is out doing the daily pacing they do along the fence line which in on the other side of Rosie. Rosie has been much much more active after I've offered protein and is eating better so that's why I'm not really concerned about the sound. Rosie had this since I got him and that's been about a month now. I didn't realize dry food was ok if it's soaked down. My question is about cat food, chicken is OK correct? Chicken, tuna or fish are all ok as long as I follow the ingredients you've given? Rosie had squash and zucchini that which he loved!! Rosie has had a pinky and I'm assuming frozen or live because Rosie ate a pinky both ways but I only gave those because he's only been on this Mazuri diet and fruit. I wanted him to have protein.. I would rather not give those. I was shocked he ate them honestly because he's never had them. He sure liked it tho. Are apples ok? He loves blueberries but won't touch strawberries. I've tried cactus and wouldn't touch it but I'll try again. My Sulcata can have arugula so I'll try that also for Rosie just in case he won't eat it I know it won't go to waste. Rosie absolutely loves mushrooms but how often can I offer mushrooms? Can I offer a chicken bone to maybe shave down the beak? The beak is looking a little over grown. He won't touch the cuttle bone and the owner only fed out of a small dog bowl so I'm trying to get him use to the terracotta dish. The owner said Rosie was female but NOPE I knew that day 2 of having him because I soaked him and put me on notice I had a male. Plus his shell is very concaved. Rosie loved the soaking and pooped so so much it liked like a whole month of poop. I had to change the water 3x that's how much he went. I'll turn the heat up in the enclosure. I hate using this igloo but we did what we could to make it better for now. I do have cypress mulch & coconut coir with peat moss mixed together. I do wet it down for humidity. I am assuming I need to change it every few months but I want to try clean soil next time. Do you have any other suggestions for substrate? I have 2 heat emitter bulbs one in a cage like fixture and another in an enclosed like fixtures the ones you'd use for a basking bulb. I just hate no light in there yet especially if we have an icky cold day here and Rosie shouldn't be outside. My sulcata won't go outside if it's chilly and loves his home. I cross my heart my sulcata is potty trained. He's 4 and hasn't gone potty in his house in about 2.5 years. This took me about a year to do and a very strict routine. I've spent hours daily with him and he's really such a good boy. I've had him since a hatchling and started the training when he was about 4 months old. Scooter will go outside in 40 degree weather to poop and straight back in the house OR just doesn't go. Rosie tho comes outside immediately when I open the door no matter if it's cold or not. If it's an icky day and to cold I'll have to keep the door shut which I hate. There are flaps on the door way too. Like on Sunday it will be a low of 37 and high in the 60s. If the sun is out that's great but if not and it's a chilly windy day he'll still come out. So do I keep him locked in OR open the door and let him out? This is a photo of Rosie and Scooter. I also sent a video of something I've trained Scooter to do along with a video of his outdoor shower and his area. I hope you'll be able to view the video. Rosie does have the same thing and hiding places. You'll see a cave like that we built for Scooter because he doesn't dig and I did the same for Rosie. Behind Scooters house you'll see a sun shade up and that's Rosies area. I put up a sunshade over Scooters pool area and it keeps it cool all day. Thank you again so so much.. I appreciate your responses to my questions in advance and again so sorry about the book I wrote.

> Honestly I was very worried about Rosie when I got him because when he's walking around I can hear like a whistling but it's mainly when the neck is out and he's smelling hard after my dogs poop.

Many redfoots whistle when air is dry. They are rather "noisy" tortoises - you can hear him clicking his beak from time to time (you will see that clicking is intentional, so it's not an RI sign). And if/when Rosie will find something to mate with - he will "cluck", almost like chicken.

> I didn't realize dry food was ok if it's soaked down. My question is about cat food, chicken is OK correct? Chicken, tuna or fish are all ok as long as I follow the ingredients you've given?

Yes, any pellets you offer (including Mazuri) should be soaked. Beef is okay too, on occasion. Try to offer some variety, don't stick to only one protein type. And it's totally fine to skip a week or two (animal protein is a luxury food source in the wild). You can offer mushrooms or legumes instead.

> Rosie has had a pinky and I'm assuming frozen or live because Rosie ate a pinky both ways but I only gave those because he's only been on this Mazuri diet and fruit. I wanted him to have protein.. I would rather not give those. I was shocked he ate them honestly because he's never had them. He sure liked it tho.

Pinky or chick is okay once in a while (in the wild they can stumble upon carrion or catch a live small animal but as you imagine it's a rare opportunity).

> Are apples ok? He loves blueberries but won't touch strawberries.

Apples on occasion are fine but not as a staple fruit. Papaya, mango, figs are much better. For variety you can offer guava, cherimoya, passion fruit and whatever else you can find. They can have up to 50-60% fruit in their diet with some seasonability (e.g. 20-30% in the winter and 50-60% in the summer).

> I've tried cactus and wouldn't touch it but I'll try again.
Try prickly pear fruit first. Mine doesn't eat cactus pads too (always have to trick her) but likes fruit and flowers.

> Rosie absolutely loves mushrooms but how often can I offer mushrooms?
1-2 times a week instead of a fruit or protein feeding. An extra mushroom won't hurt either. Generally, don't be obsessed with counting feedings - these are mostly guidelines, not an absolute truth. Here you can find some recommendations on diet as well: https://tortoiselibrary.com/nutrition-2/diet-plans-omnivore/

> Can I offer a chicken bone to maybe shave down the beak? The beak is looking a little over grown. He won't touch the cuttle bone and the owner only fed out of a small dog bowl so I'm trying to get him use to the terracotta dish.

If it's a minor overgrowth he should file it on his own when biting foods. You can smear some small banana pieces in terracotta saucer to "facilitate" beak filing.

> I do have cypress mulch & coconut coir with peat moss mixed together. I do wet it down for humidity. I am assuming I need to change it every few months but I want to try clean soil next time. Do you have any other suggestions for substrate?

With redfoots you need to watch for fungal infections (white chalky patches) on plastron (bottom shell). One way to prevent it is to keep top substrate layer dry. You can use layered substrate (e.g. coir below and mulch/bark on top) or just go with plain cypress mulch or (better) fine grade orchid bark. How often to change substrate depends on how much mess Rosie makes there My guess, you'll need to change substrate only once in year or so.

I have 2 heat emitter bulbs one in a cage like fixture and another in an enclosed like fixtures the ones you'd use for a basking bulb. I just hate no light in there yet especially if we have an icky cold day here and Rosie shouldn't be outside.
No light is fine - igloo is a burrow, not an enclosure.

> So do I keep him locked in OR open the door and let him out?

If you have time to watch Rosie and put him back in igloo when he slows down and seeks shelter - then you can let him out.

> This is a photo of Rosie and Scooter.

You have two very beautiful tortoises there. Rosie looks healthy (and his shell is impressively smooth considering previous care). I also like how you've setup their enclosures (I remember Scooter's house and shower from your older posts!).

 

[Mikki]

> Honestly I was very worried about Rosie when I got him because when he's walking around I can hear like a whistling but it's mainly when the neck is out and he's smelling hard after my dogs poop.

Many redfoots whistle when air is dry. They are rather "noisy" tortoises - you can hear him clicking his beak from time to time (you will see that clicking is intentional, so it's not an RI sign). And if/when Rosie will find something to mate with - he will "cluck", almost like chicken.

> I didn't realize dry food was ok if it's soaked down. My question is about cat food, chicken is OK correct? Chicken, tuna or fish are all ok as long as I follow the ingredients you've given?

Yes, any pellets you offer (including Mazuri) should be soaked. Beef is okay too, on occasion. Try to offer some variety, don't stick to only one protein type. And it's totally fine to skip a week or two (animal protein is a luxury food source in the wild). You can offer mushrooms or legumes instead.

> Rosie has had a pinky and I'm assuming frozen or live because Rosie ate a pinky both ways but I only gave those because he's only been on this Mazuri diet and fruit. I wanted him to have protein.. I would rather not give those. I was shocked he ate them honestly because he's never had them. He sure liked it tho.

Pinky or chick is okay once in a while (in the wild they can stumble upon carrion or catch a live small animal but as you imagine it's a rare opportunity).

> Are apples ok? He loves blueberries but won't touch strawberries.

Apples on occasion are fine but not as a staple fruit. Papaya, mango, figs are much better. For variety you can offer guava, cherimoya, passion fruit and whatever else you can find. They can have up to 50-60% fruit in their diet with some seasonability (e.g. 20-30% in the winter and 50-60% in the summer).

> I've tried cactus and wouldn't touch it but I'll try again.
Try prickly pear fruit first. Mine doesn't eat cactus pads too (always have to trick her) but likes fruit and flowers.

> Rosie absolutely loves mushrooms but how often can I offer mushrooms?
1-2 times a week instead of a fruit or protein feeding. An extra mushroom won't hurt either. Generally, don't be obsessed with counting feedings - these are mostly guidelines, not an absolute truth. Here you can find some recommendations on diet as well: https://tortoiselibrary.com/nutrition-2/diet-plans-omnivore/

> Can I offer a chicken bone to maybe shave down the beak? The beak is looking a little over grown. He won't touch the cuttle bone and the owner only fed out of a small dog bowl so I'm trying to get him use to the terracotta dish.

If it's a minor overgrowth he should file it on his own when biting foods. You can smear some small banana pieces in terracotta saucer to "facilitate" beak filing.

> I do have cypress mulch & coconut coir with peat moss mixed together. I do wet it down for humidity. I am assuming I need to change it every few months but I want to try clean soil next time. Do you have any other suggestions for substrate?

With redfoots you need to watch for fungal infections (white chalky patches) on plastron (bottom shell). One way to prevent it is to keep top substrate layer dry. You can use layered substrate (e.g. coir below and mulch/bark on top) or just go with plain cypress mulch or (better) fine grade orchid bark. How often to change substrate depends on how much mess Rosie makes there My guess, you'll need to change substrate only once in year or so.

I have 2 heat emitter bulbs one in a cage like fixture and another in an enclosed like fixtures the ones you'd use for a basking bulb. I just hate no light in there yet especially if we have an icky cold day here and Rosie shouldn't be outside.
No light is fine - igloo is a burrow, not an enclosure.

> So do I keep him locked in OR open the door and let him out?

If you have time to watch Rosie and put him back in igloo when he slows down and seeks shelter - then you can let him out.

> This is a photo of Rosie and Scooter.

You have two very beautiful tortoises there. Rosie looks healthy (and his shell is impressively smooth considering previous care). I also like how you've setup their enclosures (I remember Scooter's house and shower from your older posts!).

You're the best! My Scooter is my every thing and even tho many day they don't care about the interaction he hears my voice outside and looks with his head high to find me or sees me comes running! YES I know I'm the fed source but of I'm during outside he'll come and just sit next to me and just sit there with me listening to me vent or my human issues lol. I am wanting Rosie to feel comfortable with me too. Sulcata and redfoots are so different and I took Rosie because the owner reached out to me on social media asking me if I would give Rosie a home. I get why only experienced tortoise owners should own a redfoot
I've read and read all about them but still would rather info directly from owners but wanted to wait and see what issues I had first (feeding housing etc) thank you so so much!

 

[Mikki]

> Honestly I was very worried about Rosie when I got him because when he's walking around I can hear like a whistling but it's mainly when the neck is out and he's smelling hard after my dogs poop.

Many redfoots whistle when air is dry. They are rather "noisy" tortoises - you can hear him clicking his beak from time to time (you will see that clicking is intentional, so it's not an RI sign). And if/when Rosie will find something to mate with - he will "cluck", almost like chicken.

> I didn't realize dry food was ok if it's soaked down. My question is about cat food, chicken is OK correct? Chicken, tuna or fish are all ok as long as I follow the ingredients you've given?

Yes, any pellets you offer (including Mazuri) should be soaked. Beef is okay too, on occasion. Try to offer some variety, don't stick to only one protein type. And it's totally fine to skip a week or two (animal protein is a luxury food source in the wild). You can offer mushrooms or legumes instead.

> Rosie has had a pinky and I'm assuming frozen or live because Rosie ate a pinky both ways but I only gave those because he's only been on this Mazuri diet and fruit. I wanted him to have protein.. I would rather not give those. I was shocked he ate them honestly because he's never had them. He sure liked it tho.

Pinky or chick is okay once in a while (in the wild they can stumble upon carrion or catch a live small animal but as you imagine it's a rare opportunity).

> Are apples ok? He loves blueberries but won't touch strawberries.

Apples on occasion are fine but not as a staple fruit. Papaya, mango, figs are much better. For variety you can offer guava, cherimoya, passion fruit and whatever else you can find. They can have up to 50-60% fruit in their diet with some seasonability (e.g. 20-30% in the winter and 50-60% in the summer).

> I've tried cactus and wouldn't touch it but I'll try again.
Try prickly pear fruit first. Mine doesn't eat cactus pads too (always have to trick her) but likes fruit and flowers.

> Rosie absolutely loves mushrooms but how often can I offer mushrooms?
1-2 times a week instead of a fruit or protein feeding. An extra mushroom won't hurt either. Generally, don't be obsessed with counting feedings - these are mostly guidelines, not an absolute truth. Here you can find some recommendations on diet as well: https://tortoiselibrary.com/nutrition-2/diet-plans-omnivore/

> Can I offer a chicken bone to maybe shave down the beak? The beak is looking a little over grown. He won't touch the cuttle bone and the owner only fed out of a small dog bowl so I'm trying to get him use to the terracotta dish.

If it's a minor overgrowth he should file it on his own when biting foods. You can smear some small banana pieces in terracotta saucer to "facilitate" beak filing.

> I do have cypress mulch & coconut coir with peat moss mixed together. I do wet it down for humidity. I am assuming I need to change it every few months but I want to try clean soil next time. Do you have any other suggestions for substrate?

With redfoots you need to watch for fungal infections (white chalky patches) on plastron (bottom shell). One way to prevent it is to keep top substrate layer dry. You can use layered substrate (e.g. coir below and mulch/bark on top) or just go with plain cypress mulch or (better) fine grade orchid bark. How often to change substrate depends on how much mess Rosie makes there My guess, you'll need to change substrate only once in year or so.

I have 2 heat emitter bulbs one in a cage like fixture and another in an enclosed like fixtures the ones you'd use for a basking bulb. I just hate no light in there yet especially if we have an icky cold day here and Rosie shouldn't be outside.
No light is fine - igloo is a burrow, not an enclosure.

> So do I keep him locked in OR open the door and let him out?

If you have time to watch Rosie and put him back in igloo when he slows down and seeks shelter - then you can let him out.

> This is a photo of Rosie and Scooter.

You have two very beautiful tortoises there. Rosie looks healthy (and his shell is impressively smooth considering previous care). I also like how you've setup their enclosures (I remember Scooter's house and shower from your older posts!).

I'll take photos of Rosie's set up and post. Just so you can see what I did for now.