Healthy and happy?

[jennycooper77]

Hi! I am looking for some advice about my red foot tortoises. I have 2 red foots and I live in Georgia. I do have indoor and outdoor pens for both. They are kept separate. My question is would they be healthier and happier living somewhere (possibly a sanctuary in Florida) where they could live outside all year round? I love them so much and do not want to re-home them but I do want them to have the best life possible. If I am going to keep them in Georgia I would like some advice on upgrading their indoor enclosures. Basically some examples of what others have done that is working well for their red foots. I appreciate any advice. Thank you in advance.

 

[wellington]

There are lots of tortoises of all species living in many different states. I don't think they need to live in Florida to be healthy or happy. It's about what you can do for them, temp, humidity, diet, etc and having the proper space to give them that will make them happy and healthy.
I don't have RF to show you an enclosure but @ZEROPILOT lives in Florida and can show some outdoor areas and @Maggie3fan can help with indoor quarters

 

[jennycooper77]

There are lots of tortoises of all species living in many different states. I don't think they need to live in Florida to be healthy or happy. It's about what you can do for them, temp, humidity, diet, etc and having the proper space to give them that will make them happy and healthy.
I don't have RF to show you an enclosure but @ZEROPILOT lives in Florida and can show some outdoor areas and @Maggie3fan can help with indoor quarters

Thank you so much! I love them and am constantly striving to learn everything I can to provide them the best care. I am so happy to have found this forum. There is truly so much conflicting information out there and it is hard to know what if any is correct. I feel confident that I can get the information I am seeking here. Thanks again!

 

[Maggie3fan]

My Layla lives in a mini greenhouse over a tort table...And she lives in the PacificNorthWest and any RedFoot would LOVE to live in Georgia

 

[jennycooper77]

My Layla lives in a mini greenhouse over a tort table...And she lives in the PacificNorthWest and any RedFoot would LOVE to live in GeorgiaView attachment 367003

That's awesome! What a cool idea!

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I'd keep them in Georgia before I'd risk any "rescue" in Florida.
It's been my experience that most tortoises in "rescues" need rescuing.
Florida. South Florida. Is a particularly great place to keep Redfoot. Especially if you're lazy like I am. They can be outside all day. Every day. My area has few predators. But Redfoot can be kept just about any where. It just requires more work to get everything set up.
I'll attach an old YOUTUBE video of my primary outdoors enclosure. It's still in use and was very inexpensive.

 

[jennycooper77]

I'd keep them in Georgia before I'd risk any "rescue" in Florida.
It's been my experience that most tortoises in "rescues" need rescuing.
Florida. South Florida. Is a particularly great place to keep Redfoot. Especially if you're lazy like I am. They can be outside all day. Every day. My area has few predators. But Redfoot can be kept just about any where. It just requires more work to get everything set up.
I'll attach an old YOUTUBE video of my primary outdoors enclosure. It's still in use and was very inexpensive.

Wow! Thank you so much! This is great and gives me much more confidence about providing them a great home.

 

[zovick]

Hi! I am looking for some advice about my red foot tortoises. I have 2 red foots and I live in Georgia. I do have indoor and outdoor pens for both. They are kept separate. My question is would they be healthier and happier living somewhere (possibly a sanctuary in Florida) where they could live outside all year round? I love them so much and do not want to re-home them but I do want them to have the best life possible. If I am going to keep them in Georgia I would like some advice on upgrading their indoor enclosures. Basically some examples of what others have done that is working well for their red foots. I appreciate any advice. Thank you in advance.

Where in GA are you located?

We have another TFO member who lives in GA (northeast Atlanta suburbs) who keeps redfoots. Perhaps he can give you some ideas.
@Toddrickfl1

 

[jennycooper77]

Where in GA are you located?

We have another TFO member who lives in GA (northeast Atlanta suburbs) who keeps redfoots. Perhaps he can give you some ideas.
@Toddrickfl1

I am in Marietta. That would be great!!!

 

[ZEROPILOT]

We haven't seen @Toddrickfl1 since last November, unfortunately

 

[Maggie3fan]

I live in Oregon, so my weather is ...different...but inside might be the same..
I keep 1 Redfoot in a mini greenhouse...
My Redfoot is 3 years old and seems pretty happy here...the temp stays about 85 and warmer with 85 to 90% humidity...she is pretty active...
she's soaking...and this is what happens
Now that winter is almost gone I have been working on an outside enclosure for her...pictures will follow...

 

[zovick]

We haven't seen @Toddrickfl1 since last November, unfortunately

I knew it had been a while since he had posted updates on his set-ups, etc., but figured maybe he was still lurking. I hope he is OK.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I knew it had been a while since he had posted updates on his set-ups, etc., but figured maybe he was still lurking. I hope he is OK.

I hope so too