Hey, I have a Red foot tortoise about 3, 3 and half years old. When I got him I was new to reptiles and he was definitely not in the proper conditions. I wasn't feeding him enough and had him in an open enclosure with harsh lighting. I think he is stunted. He's around 6 inches in length. I feel horrible, but other that he seems very healthy. His appetite is good, his eyes look great. Is it too late for him to grow to normal size? Am I doing anything wrong with diet? I feed him around every other day, usually a variety of fruits and a good ammount of leafy greens. Every once in a while I throw in deli meat, peanut butter or eggs. Should I change his diet?
Red Foot Growth
- Thread starter Jaxattack
- Start date
mojo_1
Well-Known Member
I would stop the deli meat and the peanut butter. Give him boiled plain chicken or Mazuri pellets, mealworms or super worms. Give him animal protein once a week. Also I recommend feeding him every day.
mojo_1
Well-Known Member
Also 6" is about right size for that age. He should be big enough to use the Donoghue Ratio to make sure he's on the right track.
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Dont worry 
mine is 6 inch too and 3 years old. Some are bigger but it could be the male/female growth difference. Pretty sure mine a female with small tail.
THey really like mazuri! Its like coke for them. Go with it anyway but watchout if they dont want to eat anything else after mazuri.
mine is 6 inch too and 3 years old. Some are bigger but it could be the male/female growth difference. Pretty sure mine a female with small tail.THey really like mazuri! Its like coke for them. Go with it anyway but watchout if they dont want to eat anything else after mazuri.
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Hey, I just read up on hoe to properly measure. With his head extended he's like 6 but SCL is only like 4.5.
Beutiful! Mac (my tort) has a much lighter coloration! His shell is almost light brown. Weird the differences between individuals!Dont worry
THey really like mazuri! Its like coke for them. Go with it anyway but watchout if they dont want to eat anything else after mazuri.
Yeah I heard that the difference is between south american country. Here is the post https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/the-different-races-of-redfoot-tortoise.6511/
I posted a picture of how she was as a baby.
For the measure, im not an expert but I will say to you 100% that if she eat and "the number 2" is good and the grow is consistent (weight every 2 week/1 month), its perfect. I prefer a healthty and slightly undergrow than an overgrown with pyramid.
Other member can give you their advice on that too.
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mojo_1
Well-Known Member
Oh! Yes you have to gently slide the front of his shell up against a solid flat object with his head in his shell the mark the spot at the back of the shell then return the tort to his condo. Then measure that distance. Do you have a scale that reads grams so you can weigh the tortoise?
No but I will try to get one!
