red foot :]

[Kevin Russell]

hey everyone!

im new to tortoise world
ive always wanted one, i had quite a few turtles growing up

this is drax! my 3 year old redfoot i aquired him about 2 weeks ago..
learn quickly he is not like a normal pond turtle that im used to.

still trying to figure out how humidity world as far as keeping him health.
his shell color is what made me join

but here he is! and the encloser i made for him, if you are too a redfoot owner, please feel free to tell me what im missing for him.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome!

Please don't be offended. I see a few things wrong, and I have no ulterior motive other than your tortoise's health. First of all, the enclosure is a bit too small for a tortoise of that size. Next, since he comes from South America, and needs to live in a warm, humid environment, the substrate is wrong. You need something you can moisten, and it needs to be about 4 or 5" deep. Being in a too dry environment is what has contributed to his lumpy shell. He should be smooth. The next thing I noticed is the food. They eat dark, leafy greens, weeds and edible plants. You can also feed some veggies and a bit of fruit with the occasional animal protein. The manufactured "fruity pebbles" are ok to use as a topper or occasional treat, but shouldn't be the main part of his diet. There's a pretty good care sheet shown at the Tortoise Library:

http://tortoiselibrary.com/

Your new tortoise is a real beauty. I love the color on his head. Glad to have you here. You are among friends, and many of us keep the RF tortoise.

 

[Tim Carlisle]

Hi Kevin, and welcome! What kind of light is that you have over the enclosure? I couldn't tell from the pic

 

[Kevin Russell]

its the smaller zilla lamp

 

[Kevin Russell]

hes just alittle bigger than my hand, and the encloser is 2ft x 4ft
im a small person so that may be why he looks so big in my lap.

and this is what the pet store told me to buy as far as the substrate and food.
im going now to the store as we speak to get some organic soil (my yard is about 90% clay) so thankyou for that!

im not really sure how he was raised, but from the sound of your tips, not very well unfortunately.

 

[Bambam1989]

I would like to make a suggestion.
The ramp is a good way to add space and build muscles but I would consider putting a railing on it to prevent him from slipping off and possibly ending up on his back.

 

[Kevin Russell]

will do!

 

[lisa127]

He is cute! He definetely needs a better substrate. Coco coir, coco bark, peat moss, long fibre sphagnum are good choices. Redfoot need a diet of leafy greens, varied vegetables, and fruit. A bit of protein once a week as well. Mine gets greens daily. Twice a week he gets veggies (zucchhini, sweet bell peppers, squash, pumpkin, grated carrots, etc) with his greens and twice a week he gets fruit with his greens. Papaya, mango, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, occasional pineapple. For greens mine likes turnip greens, dandelion greens, spring mix, artisan lettuce. Redfoot can eat a good amount of fruit, btw. Cover the enclosure to hold heat and humidity.

 

[MPRC]

Welcome, you've gotten some good advice so far! I have 6 redfoots myself. With a little work you can set up a nice humid enclosure that will help stop the pyramiding your little guy has.

 

[Kevin Russell]

got some organic soil and cypress mulch to use as the substrate

thanks for the tip, hes already digging in it :]

 

[Kevin Russell]

he started to munch on the cypress, and i just happened to look over and a piece got caught in his mouth and i had to pull it out....

is that normal behavior or should i remove it now?

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hello, Kevin, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum to you and Drax.
No, he shouldn't be eating his substrate.
Ensure he has a nice balanced diet and add a pinch of calcium to his food or get a cuttlebone.
Hopefully, he'll realize it's horrid and stop.

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hi Kevin

And don’t forget torts are a lot like Lay’s chips your never happy with just one ![emoji217]

 

[Tim Carlisle]

Hi Kevin
View attachment 224929
And don’t forget torts are a lot like Lay’s chips your never happy with just one ![emoji217]

Don't say that... my wife would kill me! lol

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Don't say that... my wife would kill me! lol

That’s what I said 17years ago with my first pair of leopards ! Now I have 18 leopards , 3 marginals , 3 AZ desert torts , 2 pancakes , 3 Egyptians, 3 hermanni , 5 box turtles , 5 Greeks , and my Russians . And in the summer my food bill ( wholesale ) $125.00 aweek ! Good luck ![emoji217]

 

[Tim Carlisle]

That’s what I said 17years ago with my first pair of leopards ! Now I have 18 leopards , 3 marginals , 3 AZ desert torts , 2 pancakes , 3 Egyptians, 3 hermanni , 5 box turtles , 5 Greeks , and my Russians . And in the summer my food bill ( wholesale ) $125.00 aweek ! Good luck ![emoji217]

Showoff! lololol

 

[Kevinrrussell]

Kevin, hello, I struggle with my rain forest. I adopted from a nice family who felt thery couldnt take care of Stan.Lee. he has bad pyrmiding and a crack. Vet visit in two weeks. Any ideas to improve Stan.lee's enclosure..

 

[Kevinrrussell]

got some organic soil and cypress mulch to use as the substrate

thanks for the tip, hes already digging in it :]

I love the changes..soakings and misting the enclosure will help in Humidity.

 

[kanalomele]

Welcome to TFO!