New Redfoot Tortoise Mom

[RaeLee]

Hi everyone!

I am so glad I found this site because I brought my new baby home Saturday night and he was very active the first day and eating and ever since then he has been hiding. I changed food and water These few days I have had him but he has been hiding a lot but I talk to him and try to feed him so I been really nervous. I read it is normal and give them time but I just want to make sure he is good and want him to be happy and not stressed.

Any advice or I am doing right? And these pics were taking his first day home.

 

[Toddrickfl1]

It's going to take your baby some time to settle in. They don't like change. Babies spend most of their time hiding and sleeping anyway. I do have some suggestions for your enclosure. A tank can work for a little but not with an open top. It's going to be impossible to keep the humidity you need right now with it open. If you want your baby to keep growing smooth you'll need to cover the tank somehow to hold the moisture in. I built a cover out of wood and glued foam board to the bottom to of it for my tank. Once you make a cover you'll then want to get a Thermostat that you can plug your heat source into that will keep your temperature where you set it.

I would also change out that water dish for a terracotta plant saucer. The sides on those can be a flipping hazard.
Babies also don't like or feel comfortable with open spaces. I'd also add lots of plants and cover.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome!

Sooner, rather than later, you'll need to get a bigger enclosure. That one is pretty small for a tortoise of that size. Aquariums are ok, but they're awfully expensive when trying to upgrade to a bigger size. A very large plastic tub works just as well, and is much cheaper. I really like the way Toddrick explained how he covered his enclosure.

 

[RaeLee]

It's going to take your baby some time to settle in. They don't like change. Babies spend most of their time hiding and sleeping anyway. I do have some suggestions for your enclosure. A tank can work for a little but not with an open top. It's going to be impossible to keep the humidity you need right now with it open. If you want your baby to keep growing smooth you'll need to cover the tank somehow to hold the moisture in. I built a cover out of wood and glued foam board to the bottom to of it for my tank. View attachment 290730View attachment 290731Once you make a cover you'll then want to get a Thermostat that you can plug your heat source into that will keep your temperature where you set it.

I would also change out that water dish for a terracotta plant saucer. The sides on those can be a flipping hazard.View attachment 290733
Babies also don't like or feel comfortable with open spaces. I'd also add lots of plants and cover.

Thank you so much! The screen is not the size needed but the pet store was out so I am going back up there today. The associates gave all this so I have spent so much money right now to make major changes but I will take care of the top for the humidity and what thermostat do you recommend? The bowls are heavy and that is what he had in store but I will change it out. I wonder if I can return it I will check today. Any other suggestions because I want him to be okay and I know they can get stressed. Within a week time I got two bettas and a tortoise. It is nice having them and I love animals. Thank you for the quick response.

I am not on social media but any sites or books to read please let me know. Thank you again!

 

[jsheffield - In Memoriam]

Welcome to TFO!

This is a great place to learn about your tortoise. As was already said, getting a large and enclosed home for your tort at some point in the near future should be a priority.

Until then, you can give them a daily soak in warm water to help them stay hydrated, and keep an eye out for a bigger enclosure, either on Craigslist (or similar) or from Walmart (or similar).

Read through the posts in the South American Tortoises Sub-Forum, and ask questions as they arise... this is great group of knowledgeable people.

Jamie

 

[jeneliza]

Welcome, I have a redfoot myself, and honestly, your best bet is to use the encloser you have for now, but Don't buy a glass tank , there much to small, for your redfoot, you will most definitely have to buy one made for a redfoot or make one, glass tanks are just not big enough, coming from someone who did this, I had a ten, 40,55, all make great Attic decorations, now, I have a 6*4foot, soon will be adding to it, she's about 11 to 14, years old, now, and is not done growing, I had her almost 10years now, humidity is so important , as stated already, I have an open lid , but now used a tin foil idea to close off the open end, I found on here, it helps to keep it in the right heat and humidity before I was always fighting this, so when you get a bigger one make sure to get a lid that covers it, or you have to find a way to cover the open part, I check my temp, and humidty daily, at night and morning so I can make sure it's 80, or above, and humidity is at 70%to 80%, and as it grows your hide is going to be way to small, so when you build or buy a bigger one, make sure, to have a built-in hide that, she or he can go in, it's almost impossible to find a premade, hide on its own, big enough for a redfoot, so you have to make your own, or have it built-in, I added one by using a plexglass, and cutting it open in the middle, and put it in the end of my encloser, covered it with a mat, and plants and made a cover for it, and I took a picture of her with my hand so you can see how big she is now, just to give you an idea of how much room you will need, mine has out grown this encloser, will be adding more to it very soon, once we figure out if we want to go longer or add a to it, in a L shape,

 

[RaeLee]

Welcome to TFO!

This is a great place to learn about your tortoise. As was already said, getting a large and enclosed home for your tort at some point in the near future should be a priority.

Until then, you can give them a daily soak in warm water to help them stay hydrated, and keep an eye out for a bigger enclosure, either on Craigslist (or similar) or from Walmart (or similar).

Read through the posts in the South American Tortoises Sub-Forum, and ask questions as they arise... this is great group of knowledgeable people.

Jamie

Thank you so much!

 

[Toddrickfl1]

Thank you so much! The screen is not the size needed but the pet store was out so I am going back up there today. The associates gave all this so I have spent so much money right now to make major changes but I will take care of the top for the humidity and what thermostat do you recommend? The bowls are heavy and that is what he had in store but I will change it out. I wonder if I can return it I will check today. Any other suggestions because I want him to be okay and I know they can get stressed. Within a week time I got two bettas and a tortoise. It is nice having them and I love animals. Thank you for the quick response.

I am not on social media but any sites or books to read please let me know. Thank you again!

Thank you so much! The screen is not the size needed but the pet store was out so I am going back up there today. The associates gave all this so I have spent so much money right now to make major changes but I will take care of the top for the humidity and what thermostat do you recommend? The bowls are heavy and that is what he had in store but I will change it out. I wonder if I can return it I will check today. Any other suggestions because I want him to be okay and I know they can get stressed. Within a week time I got two bettas and a tortoise. It is nice having them and I love animals. Thank you for the quick response.

I am not on social media but any sites or books to read please let me know. Thank you again!

I've been using this thermostat a few years with no problems.

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You could also try covering the screen top with tin foil to hold in the moisture.

 

[Ray--Opo]

Welcome everything you need to know is right here. Dont confuse yourself reading different books or online info.
Try to stay away from pet stores. Their info can be wrong. They are there to sell products not really interested in the health of your tort.
Everything you will need can be bought online. Look at some of the enclosures other members have for redfoots. @ZEROPILOT can give you some advice also.

 

[RaeLee]

Hi, and welcome!

Sooner, rather than later, you'll need to get a bigger enclosure. That one is pretty small for a tortoise of that size. Aquariums are ok, but they're awfully expensive when trying to upgrade to a bigger size. A very large plastic tub works just as well, and is much cheaper. I really like the way Toddrick explained how he covered his enclosure.

Plastic tub that you store things in? I’m new to all of this but funny after I posted he came out and ate and got into the water so I feel relief. I have only had him a day and a half so I am learning. And really wanted to get him so I appreciate everyone’s advice and yes I will upgrade him just needed something because I did not have anything.

 

[RaeLee]

Welcome everything you need to know is right here. Dont confuse yourself reading different books or online info.
Try to stay away from pet stores. Their info can be wrong. They are there to sell products not really interested in the health of your tort.
Everything you will need can be bought online. Look at some of the enclosures other members have for redfoots. @ZEROPILOT can give you some advice also.

Thank you so so much! I was getting overwhelmed. I did so much research.

 

[LasTortugasNinja]

My biggest thing to recommend is to get a quality hygrometer. I used to do a lot of reptile rescue as a teenager years ago, and the number one thing I saw wrong with people who gave up a reptile was horrible humidity. Different species need different levels, but almost all desert & grassland species need at LEAST 35% to 40% and forest dwellers need 60% to 80%. Babies and youngsters need even higher levels. These are almost impossible to achieve with a glass terrarium. You'll find you need higher humidity too. Keep your home's humidity up, and you'll suffer less colds & infections as well.

 

[RaeLee]

My biggest thing to recommend is to get a quality hygrometer. I used to do a lot of reptile rescue as a teenager years ago, and the number one thing I saw wrong with people who gave up a reptile was horrible humidity. Different species need different levels, but almost all desert & grassland species need at LEAST 35% to 40% and forest dwellers need 60% to 80%. Babies and youngsters need even higher levels. These are almost impossible to achieve with a glass terrarium. You'll find you need higher humidity too. Keep your home's humidity up, and you'll suffer less colds & infections as well.

Okay will do. It’s a lot of information to take in.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Welcome everything you need to know is right here. Dont confuse yourself reading different books or online info.
Try to stay away from pet stores. Their info can be wrong. They are there to sell products not really interested in the health of your tort.
Everything you will need can be bought online. Look at some of the enclosures other members have for redfoots. @ZEROPILOT can give you some advice also.

All of my Redfoot live outdoors 24/7.
For indoors, these are my own parameters. But others will be very similar and how you achieve these numbers can be up to you. Or you can copy others suggestions.

Redfoot need UVB. But it's thought that they can use less with a varied and correct diet. And no supplemental UVB at all if they get outside for a few hours a week.
For extra UVB. Use a T5 "HO" 5.0 strip UVB florescent lamp.

Redfoot do not feel comfortable with bright lights. Do not use bright "heat" bulbs. If you use a T5 uvb lamp, you will need no additional lights.

Do not use red or other colored bulbs. Redfoot eat things that are colorful. Those colored bulbs make everything look like food.

Use a low wattage CHE for warmth. (If needed)
Redfoot are not a high heat loving tortoise. In fact, they are prone to overheating and will stay hidden if the temperature is much above 90f.
I always aim for 82 to 85°. And for me, this is the absolute ideal temperature.
Night time lows of about 72, 74 is ok. Outdoors it can be much lower. But things work differently in a relatively small indoors enclosures than they do outside in a pen. So I'm only talking about keeping them indoors.

Humidity must be above 75%.
This is impossible with an open topped enclosure.
With a well executed "closed chamber", keeping in warmth and humidity becomes much easier. And humidifiers and such are usually not at all required.
Place at least 4' of orchid bark into your closed chamber enclosure. Pour some water into the corners and close the lid. Humidity is given off as the water evaporates. Ad or subtract the amount of water until you achieve high humidity without a wet substrate.
Research CLOSED CHAMBER encounters and see what would be best for you.

Redfoot need water. They live water. They like to soak in it, drink it and swim in it. Make water available in a shallow pool large enough to walk in and out of.

Redfoot eat a huge variety of foods. More so than any other species.
Acquaint yourself with our foods list. There are hundreds of options. They need a varied diet of greens, fruit, flowers, cactus, animal protein, etc. Up to 50% fruit is perfectly acceptable. (That's a diet that would kill some other species.)

Do not get your information from YOUTUBE or from the pet store.
Don't buy products that a pet store employee recommends.
Check here.
Get your information here.
We have thousands of members and the latest, best information.

 

[RaeLee]

I am so overwhelmed but I have the bulb And UVB and no color and everything is set up nicely for him. He has to be an indoor tortoise because of where I live and he would get attacked. I have the food down packed and he ate a lot today and laid in the water. So he seems to be adjusting. I will not go to YouTube or Pet store. Thank you for the information. I appreciate it.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I am so overwhelmed but I have the bulb And UVB and no color and everything is set up nicely for him. He has to be an indoor tortoise because of where I live and he would get attacked. I have the food down packed and he ate a lot today and laid in the water. So he seems to be adjusting. I will not go to YouTube or Pet store. Thank you for the information. I appreciate it.

Some tweaking will probably be required to get things just right for your tortoise and the easiest for you.
Then it all gets MUCH easier.

 

[RaeLee]

I agree. It’s only been a few days now so I’ll get there but him coming out and eating and soaking was a great sign yesterday so I am happy and making progress. Thank you for all of your help!

 

[iAmCentrochelys sulcata]

Plastic tub that you store things in? I’m new to all of this but funny after I posted he came out and ate and got into the water so I feel relief. I have only had him a day and a half so I am learning. And really wanted to get him so I appreciate everyone’s advice and yes I will upgrade him just needed something because I did not have anything.

he’s so cute, but get the humidity up i can see he’s Pyraminding.

 

[RaeLee]

he’s so cute, but get the humidity up i can see he’s Pyraminding.

How do I get the humidity up, spray it?

 

[RaeLee]

I just got him two days ago so pyraminding and all that is new so is that from the pet store happening because it hasn’t even been a good three days yet.