breeding tortoises

[bluejen1313]

I have loved getting to know my tortoises,and am still learning so much. Someday, not now, of course, but someday, I might like to breed them. Not on a big scale. As you can see, I probably don't have any idea what I'd be getting into. Ignorance admitted, here's my question. If you don't know if they are boys or girls until they are bigger, do you wait until they are bigger to acquire a male or female when you can be sure, or do you take on smaller ones earlier on,and hope for the best? I was just curious. The main point is, I'm having so much fun learning and I just want to know more! Jennifer

 

[mrvrsick]

lol, if it makes you feel better i am thinking the same thing ;]

 

[Laura]

Do your homework extensivley before you get into breeding. talk to lots of people.
If you love them.. then maybe start to rescue those in need. There will always be those in need of help.

 

[mrvrsick]

very true, but lucky for me that when i can actually house an adult tortoise properly theres the cttg here in california that (so ive heard) has an abundance of young DTs ready to go to good homes ;]

 

[bluejen1313]

You know what? That's great advice. I love my 2 and if they end up being a pair great, but if not,that's a super idea! Thanks. Jennifer

Do your homework extensivley before you get into breeding. talk to lots of people.
If you love them.. then maybe start to rescue those in need. There will always be those in need of help.

---

I have looked into that some, but where do you find red foots to rescue. I tried to google areas in Cincinnati who have a rescue,and no luck so far.

 

[Crazy1]

As for rescues lots of DT in CA but not a lot of exotics (as they call them-RF,YF, Russians, Greeks, pancakes, etc.) but they do come up. Bide your time and they will find you.

 

[Laura]

Build it, and they will come...! I built my pen before I knew what was coming.. I brought home the first one.. 2 pounds! Severe pyrimiding, and we had to block off a section.
Its like Shelters.. they see almost all the breeds come thru sooner or later. Puggles, labradoodles.. Those $$$ Designer dogs.. and purebreds... for whatever reason, show up. Get on a list of "wants'. Make sure they have your info. The shelter i work with has NO CLUE how to care for turtles or tortoises. I have to beg them to make changes and give them heat. I f I dont stay on top of them the rescue doesnt get called. :-( I took in 2 sulcatas from them. I had to treat them for RI. They had no heat. They thought the russian that came in with them.. was thier baby..sigh.. at least now they ask me for advice.. its a start!!!

 

[bluejen1313]

That's great advice. I was thinking about waiting until spring to build their outdoor pen. Would it be better to do it now, and let things set up, plantings and such, so that it will be established in spring? What kind of plants would be good in a red foot pen? I want to keep the humidity up. Thanks Jennifer

Build it, and they will come...! I built my pen before I knew what was coming.. I brought home the first one.. 2 pounds! Severe pyrimiding, and we had to block off a section.
Its like Shelters.. they see almost all the breeds come thru sooner or later. Puggles, labradoodles.. Those $$$ Designer dogs.. and purebreds... for whatever reason, show up. Get on a list of "wants'. Make sure they have your info. The shelter i work with has NO CLUE how to care for turtles or tortoises. I have to beg them to make changes and give them heat. I f I dont stay on top of them the rescue doesnt get called. :-( I took in 2 sulcatas from them. I had to treat them for RI. They had no heat. They thought the russian that came in with them.. was thier baby..sigh.. at least now they ask me for advice.. its a start!!!

 

[Yvonne G]

Since you know that you will have Redfoot tortoises eventually, NOW would be a great time to get their outside enclosure built and planted. Tortoises are little bulldozers and quickly demolish little plantlets and seedlings. It would be great to have the plants all established before the tortoise is added. "Stells" has some great pictures of her Redfoot habitat here on the forum someplace. If you look closely you will see what kinds of plants are in there. But outdoors you can have a much wider variety. Start with Rose-of-Sharon. It grows into a small tree and will provide the much needed shade for your pen. Provide lots of ground cover and small bushes. Over-planting is not a problem. And (now this is strictly MY OPINION) I don't worry about if its toxic or not. I have discovered that the tortoises don't bother with toxic plants. But, having said that, I won't deliberately plant something I KNOW to be toxic. See if you can do a GOOGLE search for flora in the country of South America where the Redfoots come from.

What a great time for you. One of the best parts for me in tortoise-keeping is planning and building a new pen!

Yvonne

 

[bluejen1313]

I am so excited about planning the enclosure. They love to be outside and to know that by next year they can stay,they will love it. I wonder if someone has a job landscaping outdoor tortoise habitats? That's a niche I could fill. Jennifer

Since you know that you will have Redfoot tortoises eventually, NOW would be a great time to get their outside enclosure built and planted. Tortoises are little bulldozers and quickly demolish little plantlets and



seedlings. It would be great to have the plants all established before the tortoise is added. "Stells" has some great pictures of her Redfoot habitat here on the forum someplace. If you look closely you will see what kinds of plants are in there. But outdoors you can have a much wider variety. Start with Rose-of-Sharon. It grows into a small tree and will provide the much needed shade for your pen. Provide lots of ground cover and small bushes. Over-planting is not a problem. And (now this is strictly MY OPINION) I don't worry about if its toxic or not. I have discovered that the tortoises don't bother with toxic plants. But, having said that, I won't deliberately plant something I KNOW to be toxic. See if you can do a GOOGLE search for flora in the country of South America where the Redfoots come from.

What a great time for you. One of the best parts for me in tortoise-keeping is planning and building a new pen!

Yvonne