Karenp
Member
I am so thankful for this forum and for all of the members who take the time to better the lives of torts & turts! I don't own any myself, but my friend in Florida that has a 10" redfoot tortoise and a 6" Florida box turtle. I am so excited because in January I'm finally going to meet these two that I've heard so much about! (I live in Michigan but am officially becoming a snowbird.)
I'm trying to learn as much as I can about these amazing creatures so I can help care for them & help provide them with the very best of living conditions. I can't wait to plant some plants, catch some bugs, and introduce them to some new foods.
Thanks to what I've learned on this forum & have passed on to my friend, they are living in a partially shaded outdoor enclosure (64sf) with 16" wooden walls. They have multiple places to hide, including one with heat that is being regulated by a Jump Start thermostat. The temp & humidity is monitored by a wireless indoor/outdoor thermometer (in the hide) & an infared temp gun. They have 2 shallow dishes for water (both large enough for them to soak in) and garden tiles to eat of off (which are flush with the ground to prevent scratches). They have a cuttlebone and are fed a diet of dark greens, vegetables, fruit & earthworms.
I have urged my friend to separate them but to no avail. When I get there I can easily divide their pen in two & build another night box.
My biggest problem is getting him into the habit of soaking. They are both still growing & I know how very important this is for the redfoot. (The Florida box turtle spends half her day relaxing in her water dish.)
I'm looking forward soaking the redfoot & I'm sure once my friend sees how easy & rewarding it is, it will become routine.
I am also looking forward to doing a thorough check-up on them & being able to see some of their magnificent features that I have been reading about on this forum.
The Tortoise Forum has been such a helpful resource to me since June, but I still have many questions & so much more to learn.
Thank you again for sharing your knowledge & experience!
Karen P
Tortoise Check-Up List
http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/tortoise-health/signs-of-a-healthy-tortoise
I'm trying to learn as much as I can about these amazing creatures so I can help care for them & help provide them with the very best of living conditions. I can't wait to plant some plants, catch some bugs, and introduce them to some new foods.
Thanks to what I've learned on this forum & have passed on to my friend, they are living in a partially shaded outdoor enclosure (64sf) with 16" wooden walls. They have multiple places to hide, including one with heat that is being regulated by a Jump Start thermostat. The temp & humidity is monitored by a wireless indoor/outdoor thermometer (in the hide) & an infared temp gun. They have 2 shallow dishes for water (both large enough for them to soak in) and garden tiles to eat of off (which are flush with the ground to prevent scratches). They have a cuttlebone and are fed a diet of dark greens, vegetables, fruit & earthworms.
I have urged my friend to separate them but to no avail. When I get there I can easily divide their pen in two & build another night box.
My biggest problem is getting him into the habit of soaking. They are both still growing & I know how very important this is for the redfoot. (The Florida box turtle spends half her day relaxing in her water dish.)
I'm looking forward soaking the redfoot & I'm sure once my friend sees how easy & rewarding it is, it will become routine.
I am also looking forward to doing a thorough check-up on them & being able to see some of their magnificent features that I have been reading about on this forum.
The Tortoise Forum has been such a helpful resource to me since June, but I still have many questions & so much more to learn.
Thank you again for sharing your knowledge & experience!
Karen P
Tortoise Check-Up List
http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/tortoise-health/signs-of-a-healthy-tortoise
