Help!

[socialworker81]

So I think I shouldn't be allowed in pet stores anymore... Every time I go in one, I want to buy all of the animals in there. I feel so bad for them. So tonight I went into the locally owned pet store. They had a male and female pair of red foots for sale. The male came right over to me and looked at me with his dark eyes saying "take me home"! And I did. However, I currently only have Russians and 1 box turtle. I have no idea how to take care of red foots!
I soaked and fed them some greens, they both ate right away. They are currently in small enclosure until tomorrow when my husband is going to build them one. I live in PA, so outdoors is not an option this time of year. I am sure they are wild caught, but I believe there is pyramiding. I can take a picture tomorrow...
Anyway, I think I understand the diet, greens, similar veggies to the box turtle and a few fruits, right?
And the enclosure... Do they need lots of heat at night? I read a post about others keeping the ceramic heat emitters on at night... I don't always use them with the Russians. Is it supposed to be pretty humid, more so than the russians? Should I have something special to keep it more humid?
Sorry for all the questions... but appreciate any help! No more pet stores for me!

 

[dannel]

Heres a good care sheet on redfoots:
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/cs-redfoot.htm

 

[Redstrike]

Two resources I base 90% of my husbandry practices off of.
http://tortoiselibrary.com/
http://www.pingleton.com/redfoot/redfoots.htm

 

[JD9981]

Ha ha ha you sound like me. I have no help to offer as I am getting my first little RF tomorrow but I will be following this post for the advice as well. Good luck.

 

[Redstrike]

As I'm sure you've read from the links provided previously, your redfoot needs high humidity. I don't let mine drop below 70% and achieve this via a plexiglass top and heat ropes evaporating water from the moist substrate.

This is my setup:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-45960.html#axzz29rAkdNr5

Adding plants is really awesome for increasing humidity and improving air quality in the enclosure. TerryO has some of the best planted indoor enclosures that I've seen. There is an article written by her on the tortoiselibrary.com website that I provided earlier.

You want your temps in the mid 80's with a basking spot in the low-mid 90's. I don't know how old your tortoise is, but I don't let my cool end dip below 80 even at night. I have CHE's on either end of my enclosure attached to a thermostat to maintain consistent temperatures between 80 and 85ºF.

In the future, I'd do research prior to purchasing the tortoise.

 

[socialworker81]

Thanks for the advice. And I normally do research animals before I buy them. I have really only bought Russians. I did buy a box turtle, but researched it first. These guys just looked liked they needed rescued, and fast
I did build the enclosure today. I put the CHE's in the back of the enclosure, as I didn't have time to finish it all today, the plexiglass is going on tomorrow. The CHE's are hanging from the top, in the wood. I saw that on one of the links. Great Idea and my husband is an electrician, so easy to do! It seems hot enough right now, I bought a thermometer and humidity gauge. The humidity isn't quite there yet, but I am hoping once it is all finished tomorrow, it might be more humid in there. It is about 70 right now... I plan on getting plants in the next week or so, hoping that will also help. I noticed they were in a VERY dry enclousre at the pet store. But thanks for all the advice, the links were helpful!

 

[Redstrike]

Thanks for the advice. And I normally do research animals before I buy them. I have really only bought Russians. I did buy a box turtle, but researched it first. These guys just looked liked they needed rescued, and fast
I did build the enclosure today. I put the CHE's in the back of the enclosure, as I didn't have time to finish it all today, the plexiglass is going on tomorrow. The CHE's are hanging from the top, in the wood. I saw that on one of the links. Great Idea and my husband is an electrician, so easy to do! It seems hot enough right now, I bought a thermometer and humidity gauge. The humidity isn't quite there yet, but I am hoping once it is all finished tomorrow, it might be more humid in there. It is about 70 right now... I plan on getting plants in the next week or so, hoping that will also help. I noticed they were in a VERY dry enclousre at the pet store. But thanks for all the advice, the links were helpful!

Sounds like your on a good path to a happy redfoot, have fun