New Baby (=

[Delilah1623]

So today my baby redfoot arrived. I thought I knew what I was doing but now I realize there are some things I am unclear about...

How much should I be feeding him? Within 20 minutes of arriving he was drinking, eating and pooping. He is a little monster and within an hour or so had eaten everything I had put in there.

What temperature should I keep his enclosure at night? I read it should be kept warmer than an adult but couldn't find an actual temp to strive for.

Right now he is in a 40 gallon breeder tank with coconut coir substrate and cypress mulch on top. A terrace cotta plant saucer for water and a pot for a hide with some sphagnum moss to burrow in. Temp is around 70 with a basking spot of about 95. Humidity is varying between 70% and 80%. Day lighting is a powersun 100 watt. I bought a CHE for night but it only kept the tank at 71 at night and my house is 69 so it seems silly to run it.

And anything else that might be helpful would be greatly appreciated!!! And please feel free to be direct with any changes I need to make, I am here to learn!

And a few pictures because he is so darn cute!

 

[Delilah1623]

One other thing. My boyfriend will be building me two story tortoise table. The red foot will be on the bottom and my russian on top. Should I wait until he is bigger to move him to the tortoise table or leave him in the tank? The table will be about 4 by 10 and wood with sliding glass doors in the front. It will be enclosed on the top as well.

 

[G-stars]

Try covering the top to maintain the heat and humidity inside. I would probably aim for an ambient temp of about 75-80 for night time.


— Gus

 

[Delilah1623]

I do have a piece of glass covering about 60% of the top but I think you're right and I need it covered more.

What is the best way to raise the temperature? More powerful bulbs or adding more substrate so he is closer to the lights? Or something else? The 100 watt powersun is keeping it at around 79. I actually had 2 of them on during the day because I thought maybe the bulb was defective as I also have one for my russian who is in a kiddie pool and one bulb keeps his basking spot at 95-100 but the redfoots was only at 84 for some reason even though it's much more enclosed.

 

[G-stars]

I would lower it to get the right basking temp. As far as ambient temps completely closing it off will retain heat a lot better. Or like you said more fixtures. Id go with a completely enclosed enclosure for multiple reasons though.


— Gus

 

[Magilla504]

Maybe a piece of screen on the remainder of the tank that is exposed will do the trick. Screen only let's about 50% or so airflow through it . A roll if screen is cheap at a hardware store