Princess out and about.

[Anyfoot]

Hi all.
We have had this redfoot(princess) since 27/09/2014. When we got her she was 25.5cm/10" SCL, and very light in weight. Regrettably I did not weigh her back then.(so annoyed about that). She is now 28cm/11" SCL and weighs in at 4.55kg/10lb. According to the Dr. Donohue's formula at 11" SCL, 4.2kg/9.26lb is an average weight to size ratio. Don't know how accurate this formula is, anyone have an opinion on this? As you can see from the photos I would say she hasn't had the best care in life. This tortoise has had runny stool from day one, I cannot get her stool to be firm. All the other torts have normal stool. At the moment I have a full room dedicated to my torts and I physically have to pick them up to take them outside. This is not ideal I know and I'm in the process of solving this problem. Anyway, does anyone have any thoughts on why the runny stool. Sometimes the stool has normal lumps in it and sometimes its like liquid. Other than the stool problem and her pyramiding she seems happy,active and very very strong. Is it stress and I'm missing something? Am I not giving her the right diet, but the others are OK? Is she gravid and I'm not providing the correct environment?(indoors is not obviously), but when she's out she does not dig. Could she be a tort that will just have a short lifespan because of internal problems? The questions I ask myself are endless.
Anyway here are some photos of her whilst we had them out today, we do seem to be getting some good weather this year, we get them out at every opportunity. Just love this torts head morph and colour, she's different to all the others, my favourite.
The 3rd photo is typical of her stool.
PS. Sorry about the piles of bricks all over. They are safe and can't fall onto them.

Thank you

Craig

 

[Careym13]

I have no idea on the runny poop...but what a cute face that tort has!!

 

[ascott]

I have no idea on the runny poop...but what a cute face that tort has!!

I am no good at telling male from female on these guys...I wonder if you have determined that for certain? Also..what is the supplemental food you offer..does the tortoise graze well when outdoors? I have a few redfoot here that I also have to carry outside..just the way it goes here in the baking and then below freezing temps....once they are a bit larger I will get them set up otherwise...that is a beautiful tory by the way..

 

[Anyfoot]

I am no good at telling male from female on these guys...I wonder if you have determined that for certain? Also..what is the supplemental food you offer..does the tortoise graze well when outdoors? I have a few redfoot here that I also have to carry outside..just the way it goes here in the baking and then below freezing temps....once they are a bit larger I will get them set up otherwise...that is a beautiful tory by the way..

I'm 99.9% sure she's female. The tale does look large in that photo though. When they are outside this one just wants to go and hide for most of the day. I have never seen her graze whilst outside. She is quite a timid Tortoise. She follows me indoors,but if I try to stroke her head, in it goes. I've got a picture in my head that in her last home she was indoors constantly with little food,water and exercise. She loves dandelions, but only indoors. I give them a small amount of fruit in ratio to greens, protein in the form of mice once a week. Although the last few times I've given her cooked chicken. I did cut out fruit for about 10 days a few weeks ago to see if it had any effect. It did not. The one thing that is constantly on my mind, I think I am guilty of not feeding enough hibiscus. This is an area I need to improve. When I do give it to them they turn there nose up to it.
At the end of the day she has had runny stool for 10 months now and she eats the same if not better than the others. Do you think I should feed her heavy on protein just for a few days and see what happens. Thanks for your reply.

 

[ascott]

I'm 99.9% sure she's female. The tale does look large in that photo though. When they are outside this one just wants to go and hide for most of the day. I have never seen her graze whilst outside. She is quite a timid Tortoise. She follows me indoors,but if I try to stroke her head, in it goes. I've got a picture in my head that in her last home she was indoors constantly with little food,water and exercise. She loves dandelions, but only indoors. I give them a small amount of fruit in ratio to greens, protein in the form of mice once a week. Although the last few times I've given her cooked chicken. I did cut out fruit for about 10 days a few weeks ago to see if it had any effect. It did not. The one thing that is constantly on my mind, I think I am guilty of not feeding enough hibiscus. This is an area I need to improve. When I do give it to them they turn there nose up to it.
At the end of the day she has had runny stool for 10 months now and she eats the same if not better than the others. Do you think I should feed her heavy on protein just for a few days and see what happens. Thanks for your reply.

If it were me I would offer some mazuri and see if that solids the poo...I noticed the same thing with one of the rodfoot here..seemed as though no matter what mix I offered ..the poo was a touch less firm than the others..so I ran down my list of options and discovered that after a couple days of mazuri, firm poo...so my conclusion was likely with all of the wet type foods being fed offered up a softer poo than when mazuri offered up...I also did the same test with offering up strictly greens and no fruits or proten and wala same outcome, thepoo was much firmer...

You also mention that whilst outdoors this tortoise is timid and does not graze or run a muck as much as others? I would also offer this tort some alone outside time where she is not intimidated by the presence of
The other...perhaps stress may be playing a factor as well...even low underlying stress can be a factor, you know what I mean?

 

[Anyfoot]

If it were me I would offer some mazuri and see if that solids the poo...I noticed the same thing with one of the rodfoot here..seemed as though no matter what mix I offered ..the poo was a touch less firm than the others..so I ran down my list of options and discovered that after a couple days of mazuri, firm poo...so my conclusion was likely with all of the wet type foods being fed offered up a softer poo than when mazuri offered up...I also did the same test with offering up strictly greens and no fruits or proten and wala same outcome, thepoo was much firmer...

You also mention that whilst outdoors this tortoise is timid and does not graze or run a muck as much as others? I would also offer this tort some alone outside time where she is not intimidated by the presence of
The other...perhaps stress may be playing a factor as well...even low underlying stress can be a factor, you know what I mean?

Thank you. I have started to give her more alone time as of a couple of days ago. I'll have to find the mazuri equivalent. I can't get that over here. Thanks again.

 

[crimson_lotus]

Just a guess - have you given her stool sample to the vet? I would personally get that checked if the stool is consistently runny, and you know it's not diet since the other torts are doing fine.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Female and the poo will change from day to day according to what is fed. It sometimes takes several days for todays food to be ejected.
Are you feeding too much fruit?
Mazuri would make the poo firmer and clingier. Like peanut butter. It looks like she needs some fiber.

 

[Anyfoot]

Just a guess - have you given her stool sample to the vet? I would personally get that checked if the stool is consistently runny, and you know it's not diet since the other torts are doing fine.

No not yet. I think I need to get in touch with the vet. She has had runny stool from the first day we had her. Sometimes it is literally the consistency of water.

 

[Anyfoot]

Female and the poo will change from day to day according to what is fed. It sometimes takes several days for todays food to be ejected.
Are you feeding too much fruit?
Mazuri would make the poo firmer and clingier. Like peanut butter. It looks like she needs some fiber.

I'm going to put her on a strict diet of weeds and greens for a while. See what happens. They all eat fruit, i would guess 20% of there diet. But to be honest out of them all she eats more weeds than any of them. Loves dandilion leaves and flowers. What would you suggest is best for the highest fibre foods? We can't get mazuri over here. Do you know of an equivalent brand name?

 

[crimson_lotus]

I'm going to put her on a strict diet of weeds and greens for a while. See what happens. They all eat fruit, i would guess 20% of there diet. But to be honest out of them all she eats more weeds than any of them. Loves dandilion leaves and flowers. What would you suggest is best for the highest fibre foods? We can't get mazuri over here. Do you know of an equivalent brand name?

I'm heading to the UK next month, want me to bring some mazuri? I can mail it to you if you would like.

 

[Anyfoot]

I'm heading to the UK next month, want me to bring some mazuri? I can mail it to you if you would like.

That would be fantastic if you can. I bieve there are 2 types. Which one do I need for redfoots. Thank you so much. Where in the uk are you heading to.

 

[crimson_lotus]

That would be fantastic if you can. I bieve there are 2 types. Which one do I need for redfoots. Thank you so much. Where in the uk are you heading to.

Going to London, and yes there's LS or regular. The regular is more popular but the LS has more fiber. My Red likes both. It's up to you, I wouldn't mind sending both.

 

[Anyfoot]

Going to London, and yes there's LS or regular. The regular is more popular but the LS has more fiber. My Red likes both. It's up to you, I wouldn't mind sending both.

So how much is it and how much is there in a bag. I may as well try one of each. How often do you feed it.

 

[crimson_lotus]

So how much is it and how much is there in a bag. I may as well try one of each. How often do you feed it.

I'd get the 16oz bags since I can fit those in my suitcase. I'll have to check on pricing as well, maybe I can get them cheaper online than at the store.

I feed my tortoise a handful once a week, it's her favorite food by far. She will always come out of hiding if I have a pellet in my hand.

 

[Anyfoot]

Hi all. Something I've never fed. Can reds eat garden peas. If so is it pods and all.
High in vitamin B and C also high in fiber