Hello everyone!! I'm from MN and new to the forum, but can already see that it has a wealth of knowledge provided by experienced members. As I search the forum for valuable info, I'm also hoping to get some opinions on a tortoise that I am considering buying.
I recently met a RF tortoise at a local reptile shop, and (hopefully you fellow tort lovers will understand this) made an unexpected connection with it. Of the two RF's in the cage, both were hiding out of sight when I crouched to look in. One of them clearly started smelling me and came out to engage with me. Long story short, this guy really responded to me and feel that it could really use a good, loving home and family to enjoy life with. I also suspect that it is not being kept in the ideal environment, which looks more suited to a desert tort (very low humidity for this tropical forest tortoise) and would like to help it out.
I've never owned a tort, but have researched reptiles/turtles/tortoises most of my life and understand that good husbandry involves more than just reading books (I am dedicated to my animal family members and strive to provide the best care possible and even have a vet in mind that specializes in reptiles and tortoises). I plan on providing it with a 4'X8' tort table to begin with, using coco coir/play sand/sphagnum moss as substrate with hiding places and line-of-sight breaks. I will balance humidity/temp/light/UVB to match its native environment as closely as possible. I have room to expand this table/housing indoors and plan on also creating a tortoise garden in my back yard for the warm summer months.
The RF tort I speak of is around 5-6" and appears to be in good health. He has a crack in his shell- about the diameter of a pencil eraser but he has shown me how well he eats, walks, climbs, and takes water breaks. He also has what appears to be an old crack among the front scutes of his carapace just being his neck/head. He may well have had some trauma, but he seems tough. His shell looks to me to have some signs of pyramiding, but I am by no means an expert and would really appreciate any opinions you can offer about his condition based on his appearance. --I keep saying "he" because I saw its tail which appeared longer and rear scutes which look less "U-shaped" than of females I've seen. I know it is likely too young to accurately sex.
Sorry for the extremely long first post, but I've attached some pics for you to look at. Not sure if I can post a video, but I have one of him responding to my request to take a "dip" - he looks up and goes into his water (gosh I hope I don't seem like a crazy Doolittle wannabe, lol).
Thank you all in advance for any insight and observations you can provide me regarding this tort!!
I recently met a RF tortoise at a local reptile shop, and (hopefully you fellow tort lovers will understand this) made an unexpected connection with it. Of the two RF's in the cage, both were hiding out of sight when I crouched to look in. One of them clearly started smelling me and came out to engage with me. Long story short, this guy really responded to me and feel that it could really use a good, loving home and family to enjoy life with. I also suspect that it is not being kept in the ideal environment, which looks more suited to a desert tort (very low humidity for this tropical forest tortoise) and would like to help it out.
I've never owned a tort, but have researched reptiles/turtles/tortoises most of my life and understand that good husbandry involves more than just reading books (I am dedicated to my animal family members and strive to provide the best care possible and even have a vet in mind that specializes in reptiles and tortoises). I plan on providing it with a 4'X8' tort table to begin with, using coco coir/play sand/sphagnum moss as substrate with hiding places and line-of-sight breaks. I will balance humidity/temp/light/UVB to match its native environment as closely as possible. I have room to expand this table/housing indoors and plan on also creating a tortoise garden in my back yard for the warm summer months.
The RF tort I speak of is around 5-6" and appears to be in good health. He has a crack in his shell- about the diameter of a pencil eraser but he has shown me how well he eats, walks, climbs, and takes water breaks. He also has what appears to be an old crack among the front scutes of his carapace just being his neck/head. He may well have had some trauma, but he seems tough. His shell looks to me to have some signs of pyramiding, but I am by no means an expert and would really appreciate any opinions you can offer about his condition based on his appearance. --I keep saying "he" because I saw its tail which appeared longer and rear scutes which look less "U-shaped" than of females I've seen. I know it is likely too young to accurately sex.
Sorry for the extremely long first post, but I've attached some pics for you to look at. Not sure if I can post a video, but I have one of him responding to my request to take a "dip" - he looks up and goes into his water (gosh I hope I don't seem like a crazy Doolittle wannabe, lol).
Thank you all in advance for any insight and observations you can provide me regarding this tort!!
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