New Baby Redfoot, Indention on shell help

[daduc]

Hello, I am a new baby redfoot tortoise owner. His name is Dozer (assuming he is a male) and is 5 months old. I have been researching for awhile now to make sure he has the best care before getting him. He is in an enclosed chamber with temperatures ranging from 82 to 86 degrees and always have humidity levels of atleast 85%. He is on orchid bark which I keep the bottom layer wet and top layer dry. I have potted plants to help with humidity where he can't reach. He also has UVB buln on about 5 hours a day and gets some sunlight through the week. I have had him for almost a week now and he eats mainly greens and very active and will also eat out of my hand. I give him daily 10 to 15 minute soaks as well in the shaded sunlight. I live in florida so eventually he will have a nice outdoor enclosure in our back yard once he gets bigger.
My concern is that he came to me with a little indention on one of his shell area and I want to make sure he's ok. Also, there is a little gap of shell behind his head that im concern about as well. If someone has any idea about these two concerns, I would be really grateful. I got him from a reputable breeder found on this forum.

I have attached some pictures of the concerned areas and his enclosure. Thank you for the help!

 

[mojo_1]

I'm inclined to believe that is a cherry head tortoise.

 

[daduc]

I'm inclined to believe that is a cherry head tortoise.

Hello. Yes, it is a cherry head redfoot tortoise.

 

[zovick]

Hello, I am a new baby redfoot tortoise owner. His name is Dozer (assuming he is a male) and is 5 months old. I have been researching for awhile now to make sure he has the best care before getting him. He is in an enclosed chamber with temperatures ranging from 82 to 86 degrees and always have humidity levels of atleast 85%. He is on orchid bark which I keep the bottom layer wet and top layer dry. I have potted plants to help with humidity where he can't reach. He also has UVB buln on about 5 hours a day and gets some sunlight through the week. I have had him for almost a week now and he eats mainly greens and very active and will also eat out of my hand. I give him daily 10 to 15 minute soaks as well in the shaded sunlight. I live in florida so eventually he will have a nice outdoor enclosure in our back yard once he gets bigger.
My concern is that he came to me with a little indention on one of his shell area and I want to make sure he's ok. Also, there is a little gap of shell behind his head that im concern about as well. If someone has any idea about these two concerns, I would be really grateful. I got him from a reputable breeder found on this forum.

I have attached some pictures of the concerned areas and his enclosure. Thank you for the help!

The space between the two scutes above the head is totally normal.

Can't really see anything wrong with the other area either, but I am not sure exactly what it is you are seeing. If it is just an indentation, it probably came from the tortoise being a bit crowded inside its egg before it hatched and it will most likely disappear over the next year or so as the tortoise grows.

 

[wellington]

Agree with Zovick. Sometimes those babies are really squished and take a while to get their correct shape and some will have a crease or little dent like you are seeing. Not a big deal.

 

[daduc]

The space between the two scutes above the head is totally normal.

Can't really see anything wrong with the other area either, but I am not sure exactly what it is you are seeing. If it is just an indentation, it probably came from the tortoise being a bit crowded inside its egg before it hatched and it will most likely disappear over the next year or so as the tortoise grows.

Hi Zovick, nice to meet you. The indentation is more like a small dimple. But that makes sense. I'm completely fine with imperfections, I just wanted to make sure he's healthy. Thank you for your help!

 

[daduc]

Agree with Zovick. Sometimes those babies are really squished and take a while to get their correct shape and some will have a crease or little dent like you are seeing. Not a big deal.

Thanks wellington! I appreciate your help!

 

[zovick]

Hi Zovick, nice to meet you. The indentation is more like a small dimple. But that makes sense. I'm completely fine with imperfections, I just wanted to make sure he's healthy. Thank you for your help!

I would say that by the time the tortoise is a year or so old, that "dimple" will be virtually unnoticeable.

Good luck with the little tortoise. It looks quite nice and has really vibrant red coloration.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I'm inclined to believe that is a cherry head tortoise.

He/she is.
Or a hybrid

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Some babies hatch out of the shell with all types of curves, dents and such.
He/she will grow out of it most times.

 

[daduc]

Some babies hatch out of the shell with all types of curves, dents and such.
He/she will grow out of it most times.

Thanks Zero, this guy is from Ryan. I was researching before I got him and saw that you recommended him. Actually most of my setup is from your recommendations from other threads like using orchid bark. Thank you for that.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Thanks Zero, this guy is from Ryan. I was researching before I got him and saw that you recommended him. Actually most of my setup is from your recommendations from other threads like using orchid bark. Thank you for that.

Sure.
It sounds like you're off to a good start.
Redfoot are special. But once you get the hang of things, it gets easy

 

[mojo_1]

It definitely does get easier.

 

[Carol S]

Beautiful tortoise.

 

[daduc]

Beautiful tortoise.

Thank you!

 

[daduc]

Sure.
It sounds like you're off to a good start.
Redfoot are special. But once you get the hang of things, it gets easy

At what age/size are they able to live outdoors in Florida without having to worry so much about constant high humidity?

 

[mojo_1]

At what age/size are they able to live outdoors in Florida without having to worry so much about constant high humidity?

I believe it's when they become adults, and you'll need a heated night box for the nights it does get cold there.