Dry, flaky head on redfoot tortoise.

[hawktheredfoot]

Would love for you to keep us updated! It’s wonderful seeing what enclosures people make, we can help advise along the way too if you need! new environments always need tweaking, this forum was a god send when it came to building our upgrade!

Thank you and I will definitely post pictures!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Okay! One more question, how can I keep the bottom layers damp and the top layer dry?

Pouring lukewarm water into the corners of the substrate, not too much that it gets muddy, but enough to get it all nice and damp, if you’re using coir, pack it down firmly by hand, if it’s loose it can dry quicker. I’d then personally add an orchid bark or forest floor layer on top, some people don’t, but some find it helps keep the coir underneath moist enough.
Everything will be damp when it’s fresh, but your top layers will naturally start drying out due to the heat bulbs above

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I wouldn’t put any kind of oil on her skin personally, I’d be worried it’s going to clog her pours, but perhaps @ZEROPILOT can advise you there, I’ve never had to consider putting coconut oil on the skin

I would not and have not put anything on a tortoises skin.
Some use oil on the shell carapace. But I've never done that either.
I agree that since there is moderate pyramiding that the enclosure is likely not as humid as is thought. Definitely not high enough.
Is it a closed chamber?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Okay! One more question, how can I keep the bottom layers damp and the top layer dry?

Use Orchid bark. Pour water into the corners. The bark will absorb the water and give off humidity as it evaporates. Leaving the upper layer dry(ish)

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I would not and have not put anything on a tortoises skin.
Some use oil on the shell carapace. But I've never done that either.
I agree that since there is moderate pyramiding that the enclosure is likely not as humid as is thought. Definitely not high enough.
Is it a closed chamber?

Yeah I personally think once humidity is fixed and with plenty of soaks, the skin will improve on its own. I wouldn’t use oil on the skin, I think it could potentially build up which could cause issues.

Before I met my family member who has our red foot, he was keeping her too dry as well(he didn’t know better at the time) her skin was very flakey and dry too, she was very pale. But once humidity was corrected she started looking like a different tortoise! It was wonderful, I don’t doubt that will happen as well

 

[hawktheredfoot]

Yeah I personally think once humidity is fixed and with plenty of soaks, the skin will improve on its own.

Before I met my family member who has our red foot, he was keeping her too dry as well(he didn’t know better at the time) her skin was very flakey and dry too, she was very pale. But once humidity was corrected she started looking like a different tortoise! It was wonderful, I don’t doubt that will happen as well

Yeah I’m starting to think that’s what I’ll do. Again once I build her new enclosure she’s gonna get a greenhouse cover and I’m gonna get her that tube UVB light, thermometers and hygrometers. By then I’m gonna most likely get rid of that humidifier.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Yeah I’m starting to think that’s what I’ll do. Again once I build her new enclosure she’s gonna get a greenhouse cover and I’m gonna get her that tube UVB light, thermometers and hygrometers. By then I’m gonna most likely get rid of that humidifier.

Sounds like a good plan! She’ll improve in no time once things are sorted, sometimes when their skin has been dry for so long, they can stay a little bit crusty looking for a whilebut she’ll catch up eventually don’t worry
I’d start giving her a soak at least 3 times a week to make sure she’s staying well hydratedonce all your humidity is sorted and her skin is looking a bit better, a soak 1-2 times a week will suffice

 

[hawktheredfoot]

Sounds like a good plan! She’ll improve in no time once things are sorted, sometimes when their skin has been dry for so long, they can stay a little bit crusty looking for a whilebut she’ll catch up eventually don’t worry
I’d start giving her a soak at least 3 times a week to make sure she’s staying well hydratedonce all your humidity is sorted and her skin is looking a bit better, a soak 1-2 times a week will suffice

Okay! Thank you very much!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Okay! Thank you very much!

Anytime!