New Baby Cherryhead

[redfoots333]

My boyfriend is getting a new baby cherryhead on Tuesday. This is his first time having a tortoise. I currently have a redfoot tortoise, but I got it when it was about a year old. The tortoise my boyfriend is getting is only 1 month old. Is there anything I should know about baby tortoises so I can tell him before he gets it? Thanks in advance!

 

[Michael in MO]

My two cents for a one month tort parent would be A) initial set up should have no corners, until you have determined if your tort is a "climber/flipper" this is the number one priority B) NO UNFILTERED SUN, if you have a tort outside in a pen (screened of course) and there's ANY chance it will have full sun on it there's a good chance you'll bake the little guy C) calcium! fast growth at this age need calcium and good cal/ph ratio foods D) HUMIDITY.. if you start with smooth shell growth from day one you'll probably avoid pyrmading

 

[abclements]

All fantastic advice! Not much I can add here. Just have the initial set up ready to go when the trot gets there. Run it for a few days prior and make sure your temps and humidity are good to go and cross check it with information on here! Temps with such a small tort have to be spot on. My only other advice is to get him to join the forum! That way he can ask all sorts of questions! Good luck!

 

[kathyth]

Check out Turtletary.com Red foot caresheet. You will get important hatchling care .
They need warmth and humidity, among other things.

 

[redfoots333]

Thanks for all the great advice!!

 

[Aunt Caffy]

I'm glad I read this. I will be adding more shaded spots and blocking off corners, preferably with shade-providing objects. I definitely need to make sure the wee one's feeding area is shaded.