I received my redfoot baby (appox 2 3/4 inches and 38-40 grams) from tortoise supply appox 3 weeks ago. He's a pretty sleepy little one but I think that's too be expected. I'll ask first about his eyes. He seems to have trouble or at least is slow to open his eyes. If I pick him up while he's been sleeping they remain closed until I dunk him in a little water or spray him. Just wondering if it's normal for it to take that long. I don't find him up wondering about hardly at all so I don't know if when he wakes up himself if he opens them any faster. They do not appear to be swollen or have a discharge.
Next the bottom/belly of his shell is soft and it seems to have a dent. Its no softer than the rest of his belly but its a good size depression. About the size and depth of your finger pad. I'm wondering if it's an actual internal issue or if it's from him sleeping on the bedding. The bedding is a mix of coconut little square chunks and Sphagnum moss. I was thinking of moving all of the coconut out of the sleeping hide and only using moss and see if the dent goes away. As I'm writing this I cant say that that dent is always in the same spot cause I just really noticed it happened the last 3 times I picked him up.
To help with other questions which may come and for tips of course. Feeding: He won't eat much when I offer him anything in the Springmix of greens from the store. I did pick up some mazauri tortoise diet because that appears to be what Tortoise supply used and he will eat 1/2 a pellet of that when soaked. I've also had success with the top off an asparagus, a raspberry, dandilion flower and leaves, aloe vera plant, I'm sure I've tested a couple other things. I plan to go to the store this weekend and get a catus pad and some other veggies and see what else he likes. I've put some calcium powder a couple times each week. I do soak him about 4-5 times a week for about 5-10mins and he always drinks. Whats weird is I've only saw 2 poops.
For bedding it's the cubed coconut and moss. I have a heat mat under the box and an above heater over the hide. I spray it down each day to keep the substrate damp. I do more sprays in the hide and less in other locations. There is a large flat rock to eat from a small shallow water source and a low watt uv light from above on one side.
I included a pic because I love seeing everyone's torts while browsing the forums.
Next the bottom/belly of his shell is soft and it seems to have a dent. Its no softer than the rest of his belly but its a good size depression. About the size and depth of your finger pad. I'm wondering if it's an actual internal issue or if it's from him sleeping on the bedding. The bedding is a mix of coconut little square chunks and Sphagnum moss. I was thinking of moving all of the coconut out of the sleeping hide and only using moss and see if the dent goes away. As I'm writing this I cant say that that dent is always in the same spot cause I just really noticed it happened the last 3 times I picked him up.
To help with other questions which may come and for tips of course. Feeding: He won't eat much when I offer him anything in the Springmix of greens from the store. I did pick up some mazauri tortoise diet because that appears to be what Tortoise supply used and he will eat 1/2 a pellet of that when soaked. I've also had success with the top off an asparagus, a raspberry, dandilion flower and leaves, aloe vera plant, I'm sure I've tested a couple other things. I plan to go to the store this weekend and get a catus pad and some other veggies and see what else he likes. I've put some calcium powder a couple times each week. I do soak him about 4-5 times a week for about 5-10mins and he always drinks. Whats weird is I've only saw 2 poops.
For bedding it's the cubed coconut and moss. I have a heat mat under the box and an above heater over the hide. I spray it down each day to keep the substrate damp. I do more sprays in the hide and less in other locations. There is a large flat rock to eat from a small shallow water source and a low watt uv light from above on one side.
I included a pic because I love seeing everyone's torts while browsing the forums.
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