general questions

[tortdad]

So this is my 1st Tort, a baby Redfoot at 3 months. I have a few questions that I love some help with

#1. I keep my house at 76 degrees. Should I get a night lamp to boost the temps into the low 80's. My guy feeling is yes but Im not sure a night light will even produce heat.

#2. Take a look at my profile pic and let me know if you think its showing signs of early pyramiding. I know it wasn't being taken care of correctly and I plan on changing that...im already in love with it.

#3. How do I tell the sex so I can quite calling it "it"? I have 4 kids and each waned to name it something differently so we put 6 names in a hat and let our 3 year old reach in and grab one.... Raphael. Just wondering if we need a girl name, lol

 

[lismar79]

It takes years to know the sex. And I would get a che for night heat. Redfoots need high humity and damp and cold equal a sick baby here is a link in case you do not know what a che is:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001F9CV7K/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

 

[tortdad]

Thanks for the lead on the light. Is there anything I can do for tonight?? I guess I can just turn the AC up a bit.

I told my wife I'd be years before we knew the sex but I wasn't sure if I gave her correct info.

This poor guy has been kept in dry conditions so starting tomorrow he'll be living in a moistened bed of moss.

What do you think of the pyramiding, am I just being paranoid?

 

[lismar79]

I would not turn ac up, need warmer temps not cooler unless that was a miss type they sell che's at petco too if you want to get one quick. Puts out no light so you will leave it on all the time, turn lights off at night. From that lil pic I would say yes, you have some pyramiding but the righ conditions going forward will smooth it out.

 

[tortdad]

I would not turn ac up, need warmer temps not cooler unless that was a miss type they sell che's at petco too if you want to get one quick. Puts out no light so you will leave it on all the time, turn lights off at night. From that lil pic I would say yes, you have some pyramiding but the righ conditions going forward will smooth it out.

Yes I meant turn up the temp to warm the room. Is go right now but my wife is at the drive in with the older kids and I'm on baby duty and he's a sleep for the night.

I cut a cup in half to give him a place to hide and he's already tucked in for the night. I couldn't resist, we had a plastic teenage mutant ninja turtle cut so I used that, lol.

 

[tortdad]

Do I still need a basking light if I use the Che?

 

[Turtlepete]

I think it would be easier just to describe to you proper husbandry/care over-all, in case you have any other questions.

Temperature-wise, they need to be maintained at about 80-84. They appreciate a basking spot of about 90-95, but its not necessarily needed. These temps need maintained at night as well. Providing this is easy with a CHE (Ceramic Heat Emitter).
Ideally, you want to set up a closed chamber enclosure. You need to maintain humidity at about 80-90%. This is easy in a closed area, but very hard in an open-top enclosure. The humidity is imperative to smooth out new growth.
Substrate, I suggest spagnhum moss of cypress mulch. Both work wonderfully for maintaining humidity. Spaghnum moss is my choice, as its softness allows them to burrow. The acidity of it as a substrate also prevents ailments such as shell fungus. Handy.

A closed chamber can be pretty simple. A big container from Walmart with heat lamps on top and a wet towel, kept moist at all times, covering all the cracks. One of my nurseries for smaller hatchlings is exactly this. A UVB light is also imperative and MUST be provided.

Dietary needs are simple. Greens, veggies, and fruits should make up their diet. Greens can be collard greens, turnip greens, kale, radiccio, "spring mix" from Publix works pretty well, lettuces can be used but I do not recommend they make up much of the diet. Veggies are mostly squashes; summer and winter squashes, e.g. yellow, green, butternut, etc.. Baked sweet potatoes are appreciated and healthy as well. Carrot can be offered occasionally. Fruit can make up about 20-30% of the diet. Mango, papaya, apple, melons of all kinds, blueberries, strawberries, grapes....Pretty much any fruits, really.

Make sure you have a large water bowl the tortoise can soak itself in in the enclosure. At that size, soaking him bi-daily in warm water is not a bad idea at all. It is important to keep them properly hydrated.

Sex can not be determined for a long time now, so pick a unisex name . Sometimes they can be full grown adults and you won't know until they lay eggs or display their penis.

Hopefully that answered some of your questions. Let us know if you have any others. Best wishes to you and the little guy.

 

[lismar79]

Yep, I just commented on your other thread. If it were me I would take both those bulbs back....niether are really good, in my opinion, ger a uvb & basking combo bulb like a powersun mercuary uvb bulb. Get a powerstrip timer from a home store like lowes. Then get a che. Put powersun on from say 7am to 10 pm and leave che on all the time. You will need to ply with it to get the right temps for your set up. These are a really great tool to have as well:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CVHIJDK/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

 

[tortdad]

This is all great info and very much appreciated... Keep it flowing.

Tomorrow I'm getting a different container, the moss and taking back both bulbs for a Che and basking UVB combo on a timer.

The trick is going to be the humidity. I want an open top so I guess I need to get a mister or something.

 

[tortdad]

The good thing is that Houston is pretty humid. My ultimate goal is have this guy a nice pen outside (after he's 3 or 4) and have a nice table for inside.

I know some torts hibernate in winter. Does anyone know if the Redfoot does?

Feeding... Just once a day right? I read something that said food supply no bigger than 2xs the size of the torts head.

 

[Ashes]

The good thing is that Houston is pretty humid. My ultimate goal is have this guy a nice pen outside (after he's 3 or 4) and have a nice table for inside.

I know some torts hibernate in winter. Does anyone know if the Redfoot does?

Feeding... Just once a day right? I read something that said food supply no bigger than 2xs the size of the torts head.

Reds don't hibernate. And yes, you can just feed once a day. I feed a pile about as big as my little guy's shell - he walks away when he's full.

 

[Ashes]

This is all great info and very much appreciated... Keep it flowing.

Tomorrow I'm getting a different container, the moss and taking back both bulbs for a Che and basking UVB combo on a timer.

The trick is going to be the humidity. I want an open top so I guess I need to get a mister or something.

I had a mister in a CLOSED chamber and things got too wet trying to keep humidity up - with the amount you'd have to mist an open enclosure to keep the humidity between 80-90%, I'd imagine it'd be a little too wet?... I just covered the top with foil to make it closed and have no problem now keeping the humidity up (I've used coco coir and coco chips - both are great for humidity - and I have sheet moss as well to help).