jvhagerman
New Member
I've had Genus: Gopherus native desert tortoises since I was a child and have been licensed to have them by the State if California. I do not have them now so no need to segregate. I recently took in a red foot tortoise as a rescue. He was on Craig's List for so very long that I thought maybe I could take him and provide for him. I am now thinking I am in over my head. He is large, about 12 by 10 inches. He has pyramiding from being fed an inadequate diet.
My present concerns:
He doesn't seem very active. He always finds a spot to head in and sleeps most of the day. Is this normal?
He doesn't seem to want to eat much. I've tried spring mix, carrot and cabbage (in moderation), fruits and other vegetables (zucchini, yellow squash, kale, water,melon, cantaloupe, peaches, plums, apples,romaine, roses, California poppies. Of those he seems to like some of the spring mix, the cantaloupe, roses, and a little of the peach. He loves nightcrawler worms but I am unsure how much of this to feed him. He has absolutely no interest in tortoise pellets. Am I feeding him the wrong things? How often do I let him have the worms?
I've provided a bath for him but he doesn't seen interested. He sometimes takes a drink but doesn't want to be in it for long. If I put him in he is soon out and does't defecate there. He does seem to like to play in the sprinkler and is most active then.
I have dogs which seem to want to attack him (never had a problem with the deserts and the dogs) so now I have to bring him in with me every time I let the dogs out. Is this okay or is it a severe disruption? I also bring him in at night so I won't disturb him when he is sleeping. I put in in a shallow cardboard box in the closet floor. Is this okay?
I am thinking I need to rehome him. I hate to admit failure but his life and well being are much more important than my feelings. I live in Northern California. So I guess I need help in doing this. I want to make sure he goes to somone who can provided a good home and provide for all of his needs. If any of you know someone who can do this I'd appreciate you showing them this thread. I have posted for rehome on the forum.
Thank you for answering any of my questions and all of your help.
My present concerns:
He doesn't seem very active. He always finds a spot to head in and sleeps most of the day. Is this normal?
He doesn't seem to want to eat much. I've tried spring mix, carrot and cabbage (in moderation), fruits and other vegetables (zucchini, yellow squash, kale, water,melon, cantaloupe, peaches, plums, apples,romaine, roses, California poppies. Of those he seems to like some of the spring mix, the cantaloupe, roses, and a little of the peach. He loves nightcrawler worms but I am unsure how much of this to feed him. He has absolutely no interest in tortoise pellets. Am I feeding him the wrong things? How often do I let him have the worms?
I've provided a bath for him but he doesn't seen interested. He sometimes takes a drink but doesn't want to be in it for long. If I put him in he is soon out and does't defecate there. He does seem to like to play in the sprinkler and is most active then.
I have dogs which seem to want to attack him (never had a problem with the deserts and the dogs) so now I have to bring him in with me every time I let the dogs out. Is this okay or is it a severe disruption? I also bring him in at night so I won't disturb him when he is sleeping. I put in in a shallow cardboard box in the closet floor. Is this okay?
I am thinking I need to rehome him. I hate to admit failure but his life and well being are much more important than my feelings. I live in Northern California. So I guess I need help in doing this. I want to make sure he goes to somone who can provided a good home and provide for all of his needs. If any of you know someone who can do this I'd appreciate you showing them this thread. I have posted for rehome on the forum.
Thank you for answering any of my questions and all of your help.