New redfoot hatcling

[COmtnLady]

Welcome to the Forum!

You are going to be a great Tortoise keeper! So much of the info "out there" is wrong, and you are open to doing the best for your little buddy! Everyone else has already got you headed in the right direct so I won't repeat stuff.

The biggest thing with babies in general and Red Foots specifically is humidity and warmth. Hatchlings are just babies - and despite them having managed to exist longer than humans have - they need to be treated carefully and kindly. Soak little ones at least once a day. My RF is an adult and I still soak her at least every other day. It's one of the things that you can't exactly do too much of. Keep the water warm, which is tricky because it should only be as deep as their level where their top and bottom shell come together. Plus, you don't want the little guy tipping over and drowning. S0 - shallow, warm water. It makes them go potty, making it a good thing to A. watch fairly closely and B. dump the cooled-off water out and replace with warm.

Also, If there are too-hot spots (like basking areas) their shells will dry out and get pyramided. Watch for that, too.

I feed mine from a plate so that I can wash it easily, but I sit the plate on the edge of a sandstone-ish slab that she walks on a lot. I haven't had to trim a nail ever because the slab files them down. (RF don't have beaks like other kinds of torts.)

What did you name your Tort?

We are glad you're here.

.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Thank you so much for all the advice! I’m a new tort parent so I felt the need to ask. I want the best for my little guy so upon reading everything I went out and bought a Arcadia

hey just wanted to update! Thanks for all the advice, I find it really helpful. I wanted to correct my last comment, I did double check and it is coco coir that I put in there. I typed the wrong thing. I removed the moss as most people said to and replaced it with about 4 inches of orchid fir bark. I added more greenery and ordered an Arcadia tube uvb light and went out and bought an Arcadia LED strip light. I’m going to build a temporary greenhouse top and take off the two doors my enclosure currently has on it so I can place my greenhouse like thing on top. Im thinking I’ll go with a A-Framed type top but with some tweaks to be able to hang the lighting. My heating bulb seems to keep the temps at 80 now that I have some tinfoil on the mesh that is letting the heat out. It’s a ceramic heat emitter. If that’s bad please let me know! I’ll hang both my led and uvb inside the enclosure at the right height. I added some small live plants that are safe as well as more hiding areas. I put some more rocks in his water bowl, finding out that it is unsafe I learned putting rocks in it for a temporary fix can increase their odds of turning themselves back up. I have more greenery and decor coming in. I’ll show pictures of what I have as soon as I get everything properly set up. I have a few things coming in the mail. Overall I have quite a few things to tweak. I’ll be getting a new enclosure or building one soon. Any tips on diy enclosures? If there is anything I’ve said that is bad please let me know! I’m here to learn and I’ve learned so much already. Thank you all so much.

You have done tremendous amount of changes today!

For DIY enclosures - check if you can find expanded PVC sheets in HomeDepot or advertising signs companies nearby (sometimes at glass cutters).
Here is the guide how to build one: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/b...-pvc-enclosed-chamber-–-for-beginners.159220/
Also, you check SerpaDesign videos on YT - e.g. in the video about building bearded dragon enclosure he outlines basic steps.

I used cutlistoptimizer.com to plan how to cut PVC sheets with optimal layout.

Othet DIY options I like are hydroponic grow tents and Lifetime Raised Garden Bed kit (2 plastic planters 4x4 feet + a tent).

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Thank you so much for all the advice! I’m a new tort parent so I felt the need to ask. I want the best for my little guy so upon reading everything I went out and bought a Arcadia

hey just wanted to update! Thanks for all the advice, I find it really helpful. I wanted to correct my last comment, I did double check and it is coco coir that I put in there. I typed the wrong thing. I removed the moss as most people said to and replaced it with about 4 inches of orchid fir bark. I added more greenery and ordered an Arcadia tube uvb light and went out and bought an Arcadia LED strip light. I’m going to build a temporary greenhouse top and take off the two doors my enclosure currently has on it so I can place my greenhouse like thing on top. Im thinking I’ll go with a A-Framed type top but with some tweaks to be able to hang the lighting. My heating bulb seems to keep the temps at 80 now that I have some tinfoil on the mesh that is letting the heat out. It’s a ceramic heat emitter. If that’s bad please let me know! I’ll hang both my led and uvb inside the enclosure at the right height. I added some small live plants that are safe as well as more hiding areas. I put some more rocks in his water bowl, finding out that it is unsafe I learned putting rocks in it for a temporary fix can increase their odds of turning themselves back up. I have more greenery and decor coming in. I’ll show pictures of what I have as soon as I get everything properly set up. I have a few things coming in the mail. Overall I have quite a few things to tweak. I’ll be getting a new enclosure or building one soon. Any tips on diy enclosures? If there is anything I’ve said that is bad please let me know! I’m here to learn and I’ve learned so much already. Thank you all so much.

Understood! And yes I bought a thermostat today and I have it set on 85. I will buy a teerocotta saucer right now so it will come quickly. His food dish is a piece of slate. I read it helps trim their beak down.is this correct? I read so much stuff and based on a lot of the advice I’ve gotten from here a lot of the other sources are inaccurate which is why I decided to ask here. A friend told me to come to this site and I’m thankful I did. I’ve been growing a garden for a while now mainly to feed my bunny and now my new tort. Although I had a neighbor dog dog up some of my plants most are growing well. I’ve never used any type of pesticides or fertilizers in my garden because I also feed my bunny stuff straight out of my garden so I don’t like to use any unnatural things in it. I’ve been using the tortoise table website to plant the right things safe for my tort. He seems to want to chomp on some things given that he tried to chomp on the fake flower I have in there. Should I offer him some flowers to help him warm up? I know they like to chomp on flowers but is there a favorite among Redfoots ?

No problem at all! Happy to help in any way I can, that’s great! You’ve made some really good changes already! I can’t tell you how wonderful it is having members like you join! I’m so glad you’ve made your way hereCHE(s) on a thermostat work great as a heat source for red foots! There’s lots of different flowers they enjoy, definitely give the tortoise table link a look through to find the safe ones.

Hi! Thanks for the reply! I will take any advice I can get! Do you possibly have a link to the enclosure you have? I’d love to get the right set up. Unfortunately I read some misinformation on other sites that said open tops like the one I have now were okay. It’s okay though I’ve learned and will get the right setup as soon as possible. For now I’ll be building a green-house like top and taking the two doors off so I can achieve the proper humidity. I bought a thermostat for my heat emitter and it’s staying in the 80-85 range. Should I keep the heat on at night since it’s a hatching ? I read that is something needed too but it could have been misinformation . Anyway, thank you so much for the advice ! By the way, what a cutie! love your Tort.

yeah keep your ceramic bulbs running on the thermostat 24/7, your thermostat will keep your temperatures in 80-85 range, do this always with any indoor set up he has in the future outside of his outdoor home once he’s big enough to live outdoors.

If you’d like to have a look through some visual inspo on different closed chamber options, feel free to check this one out

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[Tort:)]

Here's the link to the one i have you'll get roughly 2 years out of this size then you'll need to expand. Leave heat on 24/7 the thermostat will take care of it. Put your uv light on a 4 hr timer noon to 4pm, daylight bulb on a 12-14 hour timer. Thank you he is cute but also a little A-hole when you don't feed him on the same schedule every day and he gets all miley Cyrus wrecking ball with his enclosure decor.

APS(T12) - 48Lx24Dx24H - TERRESTRIAL/ARBOREAL

*Images above may contain accessory add ons that must be purchased* AP Signature Series The all new AP Signature series cage line features a proprietary design engineered for a classy look with "EZ Build" features. The AP Signature Series (APS) features an inset/overhang look, unique and...

apcages.com

Thank you so much! I will be upgrading asap. My little guy still hasn’t eaten too much. I’ve been offering fresh greens everyday. I assume little guy just needs to adjust.

 

[Tort:)]

You have done tremendous amount of changes today!

For DIY enclosures - check if you can find expanded PVC sheets in HomeDepot or advertising signs companies nearby (sometimes at glass cutters).
Here is the guide how to build one: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/building-your-own-expanded-pvc-enclosed-chamber-–-for-beginners.159220/
Also, you check SerpaDesign videos on YT - e.g. in the video about building bearded dragon enclosure he outlines basic steps.

I used cutlistoptimizer.com to plan how to cut PVC sheets with optimal layout.

Othet DIY options I like are hydroponic grow tents and Lifetime Raised Garden Bed kit (2 plastic planters 4x4 feet + a tent).

Thank you! I really appreciate all the advice ! I didn’t know I was doing so much wrong but I’m glad I came here and asked for help.

 

[Tort:)]

Welcome to the Forum!

You are going to be a great Tortoise keeper! So much of the info "out there" is wrong, and you are open to doing the best for your little buddy! Everyone else has already got you headed in the right direct so I won't repeat stuff.

The biggest thing with babies in general and Red Foots specifically is humidity and warmth. Hatchlings are just babies - and despite them having managed to exist longer than humans have - they need to be treated carefully and kindly. Soak little ones at least once a day. My RF is an adult and I still soak her at least every other day. It's one of the things that you can't exactly do too much of. Keep the water warm, which is tricky because it should only be as deep as their level where their top and bottom shell come together. Plus, you don't want the little guy tipping over and drowning. S0 - shallow, warm water. It makes them go potty, making it a good thing to A. watch fairly closely and B. dump the cooled-off water out and replace with warm.

Also, If there are too-hot spots (like basking areas) their shells will dry out and get pyramided. Watch for that, too.

I feed mine from a plate so that I can wash it easily, but I sit the plate on the edge of a sandstone-ish slab that she walks on a lot. I haven't had to trim a nail ever because the slab files them down. (RF don't have beaks like other kinds of torts.)

What did you name your Tort?

We are glad you're here.

.

I’ve been soaking my little guy for about 20 minutes every day sometimes it varys but I usually wait until it uses the rest room then I go ahead and take him out. I’m so glad I asked for help, I just got the little one about 3 days ago now and I’m so in love. I put more hiding areas and fake shrubs. I’m going to plant real plants so I can put them in there. I read buying them from stores could be dangerous because of the fertilizer and pesticides they use. I haven’t exactly found a name yet but I have a few in mind. One I really like ,Bonsai, I think would be super cute any name suggestions? I’m open to absolutely any advice as well

 

[None]

Understood! And yes I bought a thermostat today and I have it set on 85. I will buy a teerocotta saucer right now so it will come quickly. His food dish is a piece of slate. I read it helps trim their beak down.is this correct? I read so much stuff and based on a lot of the advice I’ve gotten from here a lot of the other sources are inaccurate which is why I decided to ask here. A friend told me to come to this site and I’m thankful I did. I’ve been growing a garden for a while now mainly to feed my bunny and now my new tort. Although I had a neighbor dog dog up some of my plants most are growing well. I’ve never used any type of pesticides or fertilizers in my garden because I also feed my bunny stuff straight out of my garden so I don’t like to use any unnatural things in it. I’ve been using the tortoise table website to plant the right things safe for my tort. He seems to want to chomp on some things given that he tried to chomp on the fake flower I have in there. Should I offer him some flowers to help him warm up? I know they like to chomp on flowers but is there a favorite among Redfoots ?

Hibiscus flowers and leaves.....if you have a Mexican or Latin supermarket: cactus fruits ( pricky pear) and the cactus itself, they love that and, I read here, contains natural calcium which is great for the growing time ahead of your little guy. Check for thorns in the cactus pads. Good luck!

 

[mojo_1]

Thank you so much! I will be upgrading asap. My little guy still hasn’t eaten too much. I’ve been offering fresh greens everyday. I assume little guy just needs to adjust.

A couple of things that worked for me after the adjustment period. Chopping up the food into roughly 1/2" to 1" pieces, and also prep and put food in enclosure to warm up then take the tort out to soak to give the food time to warm up. Their digestive system is dependent on the tort and their food being warm. Also mazuri pellets they love those, soften them with water drain off water mix it into food.

 

[Tort:)]

A couple of things that worked for me after the adjustment period. Chopping up the food into roughly 1/2" to 1" pieces, and also prep and put food in enclosure to warm up then take the tort out to soak to give the food time to warm up. Their digestive system is dependent on the tort and their food being warm. Also mazuri pellets they love those, soften them with water drain off water mix it into food.

I wanted to update, this morning I went to my garden and cut some fresh collard greens and mustard greens and he went crazy on them haha. I will try the pellets as well. I soaked him in warm water this morning and he poo’ed twice and drank a whole bunch then I offered him the greens from my garden and he chomped away. Thank you again for all the information. It’s been really helpful and my tort already seems to be more active. I’m so glad the little guy ate some. I was so worried

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

This article helped me introduce new foods: https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/tortoise-diet/introducing-a-new-diet/

 

[mojo_1]

I wanted to update, this morning I went to my garden and cut some fresh collard greens and mustard greens and he went crazy on them haha. I will try the pellets as well. I soaked him in warm water this morning and he poo’ed twice and drank a whole bunch then I offered him the greens from my garden and he chomped away. Thank you again for all the information. It’s been really helpful and my tort already seems to be more active. I’m so glad the little guy ate some. I was so worried

That’s great news. Don't take your eye off of the tort during the bath they love to eat their own poop.

 

[mojo_1]

Mojo likes this i grow it for him.

Seed Mix: Broadleaf Testudo Mix

This is our custom-made seed mix designed specifically for Russian, Greek, Marginated and Hermanns tortoises. It has no grass and over 2 dozen different seeds in it for maximum variety in the diet of these tortoises.

www.tortoisesupply.com

 

[Tort:)]

That’s great news. Don't take your eye off of the tort during the bath they love to eat their own poop.

Oh no! That’s not good luckily I watch the little guy very closely while he’s soaking. He seems to enjoy that part of the day the most right now. I usually change the water once it start to cool down or if he poos. Good to know!

 

[mojo_1]

Oh no! That’s not good luckily I watch the little guy very closely while he’s soaking. He seems to enjoy that part of the day the most right now. I usually change the water once it start to cool down or if he poos. Good to know!

It's ok if they do eat it. It's just gross.

 

[mojo_1]

Decor/hide ideas, Mojo loves his little tunnel i made for him. It's 4" pvc drainage pipe elbow and they are just put inside a 4" pvc plumbing coupler.

 

[Tort:)]

Few things to unpack and I really don’t want you to take it the wrong way, but almost everything here is wrongI’m so sorry! It happens all too often here and we have to let new members know, the good news is you’ve found us and can get on the right track!

First up yes, he will need to be housed indoors inside a closed chamber for at least the first 3 or so years of his life.

Any kind of compact screw in uv bulb isn’t the best or safest choice unfortunately, but you are right about them not needing a basking spot, because he’s not in a closed chamber, you’re struggling with both your temperatures and humidity. Humidity cannot be maintained where it needs to be with an open top like this.

The moss can cause serious impactions if eaten, it needs removing, coco fibre can carry the same risk, what you want is either orchid fir bark or coco coir, or even a mix of both, cypress mulch/forest floor works too but not my personal choice, I’d go with the coir or bark.

Mojo already linked my common error thread so definitely give that a read, it goes into the points raised here.

I think this is the other one he’s trying to find, you’ll definitely find it useful, I cover correct equipment(lighting heating, the right uv), levels, substrates, sizing, the importance of a closed chamber, appropriately maintaining humidity, there’s lots of visual examples for everything along with a really handy diet list&link!

Young red foot/ cherryhead set up

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information on an effective example of a starter enclosure for a red foot/cherry head😊 Care advice for these guys is painfully behind, fb pages, YouTube, pet stores, they’re all repeating the same outdated advice, this forum is made of...

tortoiseforum.org

Hope it helps! Welcome to the forum, always happy to answer further questions!

 

[Tort:)]

Here is pictures of a closed chamber enclosure that I use. View attachment 380801View attachment 380802View attachment 380803View attachment 380804View attachment 380805View attachment 380806

Hi! One more question. I have a hydrometer but I don’t believe it’s accurate so I was wondering if you had a specific one you use or brand you prefer? I’ve been looking but there are so many options it’s hard to figure out which ones are accurate.

 

[mojo_1]

Hi! One more question. I have a hydrometer but I don’t believe it’s accurate so I was wondering if you had a specific one you use or brand you prefer? I’ve been looking but there are so many options it’s hard to figure out which ones are accurate.

Sensor Push brand is what I use.

 

[mojo_1]

Temperature/Humidity Sensor by SensorPush for iPhone/Android. Water Resistant, Made in USA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PKWPKM2?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

SensorPush G1 WiFi/Ethernet Gateway. Receive Data/Alerts from Anywhere via Internet. No Monthly Fee. Unlimited History. Developed/Supported/Hosted in USA. iPhone/Android App/Web Dashboard/Alexa https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N17RWWV?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hi! One more question. I have a hydrometer but I don’t believe it’s accurate so I was wondering if you had a specific one you use or brand you prefer? I’ve been looking but there are so many options it’s hard to figure out which ones are accurate.

Many use Accu-Rite. SensorPush are rather expensive (but cool). If you want monitoring and notifications in your smartphone - you can get Govee or TP-Link sensors and complement them with Accu-Rite (or any other digital sensor) to cross-check.