looking for assistance with my red foot. I recently covered his enclosure with flexible plexiglass to get his humidity up. Working great. I changed all his lights to under lid lights. But now I’m struggling to keep the heat correct. I have under heating pads but it’s not keeping the temps right. I’m looking for an under lid solution. Any suggestions?
Red footed heat
- Thread starter RobinF
- Start date
The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
What are your enclosure dimensions and how big is your tortoise? Radiant heat panels or ceramic heat emitters are options that come to my mind.
mojo_1
Well-Known Member
If you are heating the enclosure from underneath the tortoise stop doing that. Redfoots dig down to regulate their body temperature that can't happen if you're heating their belly. If you're using them on the wall that to will prove to be not helpful. Pictures of your enclosure would help. In my experience if you have a proper closed chamber enclosure Radiant heat panels work the best. Ceramic heat emitter are good but they do more direct heat below them then they do heating up the entire enclosure like Radiant heat panels.
mojo_1
Well-Known Member
It's time for a enclosure upgrade in size i think.
Hello!The enclosure is 75 x 25. That includes his hide box. He is about 6x9”. My hand for referencehe was three when we got him in May 2023. Photo as a reference. He’s a growing boy.
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Is it a heat panel on the photo? Is it the only source of heat? What wattage is it? Generally, you need around 50W per 4 sq.ft. for an enclosure with decent insulation (more or less evenly spread). Also, try moving thermostat probe farther away from the heat source.
I would agree about enclosure upgrade. He will definitely enjoy extra space. If he has space outdoors (especially with supplemental heating) then enclosure size is less an issue.
The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
That enclosure is partly open top (I mean the part with the wire roof), which may make it hard to keep the heat in. In a closed chamber heating is much more efficient.
mojo_1
Well-Known Member
Not ideal but she has plexiglass on top of the wire mesh to help keep the heat in.
The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
Oh, I didn't catch that plexiglass.
It is a 30w fan control heat panel. It is keeping that side at 76 nighttime temp. I have dual humidity and heat sensors in various locations to monitor the new setup and I am using a temp gun to check. See pic. I ordered another fan heat panel for the other side as a temporary measure. I went from the typical above screen heat and light sources in order to up the humidity which is why I am reaching out to the community. I can’t seem to source the correct panels for heat.
Can anyone send me links to a correct heat panel?
And agreed, he will need an expanded home in the future. I spend time with him outdoors in summer in Maryland when the temps allow. I’m scared to have him live out there in the summer. Plus he is a people turtle and seems to enjoy seeing humans.
Everyone is so appreciated for offering suggestions. Thank you!!
Can anyone send me links to a correct heat panel?
And agreed, he will need an expanded home in the future. I spend time with him outdoors in summer in Maryland when the temps allow. I’m scared to have him live out there in the summer. Plus he is a people turtle and seems to enjoy seeing humans.
Everyone is so appreciated for offering suggestions. Thank you!!
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QueenRoe
New Member
I use a ceramic heat emitter & basking bulb (during day); it is amazing and cheaper than "reptile heaters." It's also easier to provide a hotter/cooler side, as the mats can heat the entire floor of the enclosure, not just the area where they stick, and maintain a consistent temperature at night without visible light. I want to say I got mine at Lowe's for $10, and it is rated for animals/livestock. Hopefully this helps!
Welcome to The Forum!
You've found the place that has the most up-to-date info! The best part is that any info here is backed up with years of hands-on studying and data that can be shared with you. It really is the best info!
Have you had a chance to read this yet?
tortoiseforum.org
This may help with mistakes that most people (self included) make when starting out.
tortoiseforum.org
With Red Foots in mind ~
tortoiseforum.org
tortoiseforum.org
Some good background info, though there are a couple things that we have since discovered should be avoided (for instance, never use moss in an enclosure, it doesn't digest swell and can cause intestinal impactions) -
tortoiseforum.org
____________________________________________________
As said in posts above, don't heat from the bottom. I only use CHEs (Ceramic Heat Emitters) to heat my RedFoot's enclosure, but each enclosure is different so it is possible that you might need something else. The CHEs can get the enclosure too hot, though, so you need to balance it out for your own personal situation. Don't bother with a basking light, RFs don't bask.
How old is your tortoise?
All species of tortoise need to be very warm and humid for their first two to three years of life. Red Foot are a tropical species, so they need a level of about 84F and 84% humidity all the time, every day of their lives.
.
You've found the place that has the most up-to-date info! The best part is that any info here is backed up with years of hands-on studying and data that can be shared with you. It really is the best info!
Have you had a chance to read this yet?
Info For New People. Please Read This First.
Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...
tortoiseforum.org
This may help with mistakes that most people (self included) make when starting out.
Common keeping errors
Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...
tortoiseforum.org
With Red Foots in mind ~
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
Housing older red foot/cherryhead
Hello there! In this thread I’m going to go over an example of an appropriate indoor red foot/cherryhead enclosure. As much as it’s encouraged to have tortoises in a safe outdoor enclosure(especially the size these guys get!) I understand being from the uk myself, that some climate’s make it...
tortoiseforum.org
Some good background info, though there are a couple things that we have since discovered should be avoided (for instance, never use moss in an enclosure, it doesn't digest swell and can cause intestinal impactions) -
Redfoot Tortoise Care Sheet
NOTE: I do not keep redfoots, and I only have one tortoise in total. With this in mind, remember that I am in no way an expert, and this should not be used as cold hard proof of how to raise a redfoot. I used information from great keepers on this forum to put everything together. This care...
tortoiseforum.org
____________________________________________________
As said in posts above, don't heat from the bottom. I only use CHEs (Ceramic Heat Emitters) to heat my RedFoot's enclosure, but each enclosure is different so it is possible that you might need something else. The CHEs can get the enclosure too hot, though, so you need to balance it out for your own personal situation. Don't bother with a basking light, RFs don't bask.
How old is your tortoise?
All species of tortoise need to be very warm and humid for their first two to three years of life. Red Foot are a tropical species, so they need a level of about 84F and 84% humidity all the time, every day of their lives.
.
mojo_1
Well-Known Member
If my math is correct the OP's tortoise is around 6 years old.Welcome to The Forum!
You've found the place that has the most up-to-date info! The best part is that any info here is backed up with years of hands-on studying and data that can be shared with you. It really is the best info!
Have you had a chance to read this yet?
Info For New People. Please Read This First.
Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...
This may help with mistakes that most people (self included) make when starting out.
Common keeping errors
Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...
With Red Foots in mind ~
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...Housing older red foot/cherryhead
Hello there! In this thread I’m going to go over an example of an appropriate indoor red foot/cherryhead enclosure. As much as it’s encouraged to have tortoises in a safe outdoor enclosure(especially the size these guys get!) I understand being from the uk myself, that some climate’s make it...
Some good background info, though there are a couple things that we have since discovered should be avoided (for instance, never use moss in an enclosure, it doesn't digest swell and can cause intestinal impactions) -
Redfoot Tortoise Care Sheet
NOTE: I do not keep redfoots, and I only have one tortoise in total. With this in mind, remember that I am in no way an expert, and this should not be used as cold hard proof of how to raise a redfoot. I used information from great keepers on this forum to put everything together. This care...
____________________________________________________
As said in posts above, don't heat from the bottom. I only use CHEs (Ceramic Heat Emitters) to heat my RedFoot's enclosure, but each enclosure is different so it is possible that you might need something else. The CHEs can get the enclosure too hot, though, so you need to balance it out for your own personal situation. Don't bother with a basking light, RFs don't bask.
How old is your tortoise?
All species of tortoise need to be very warm and humid for their first two to three years of life. Red Foot are a tropical species, so they need a level of about 84F and 84% humidity all the time, every day of their lives.
.
This kind of heat panels work well enough.
Must be used on a thermostat, and you still might need two of them for better heat distribution. Please, make sure to check the panel dimensions - it's hard to fit them in with other lights and cables.
As of the time outside: you may let him to "stretch the legs" during daytime, in a secured pen and bring him inside for the night. And a few hours in early fall or late spring can also be great.
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
You ideally don’t want your enclosure dropping below 80f anywhere day or night.
For the indoor side of things, Hopefully this thread might be be helpful, I primarily made it for folks that I’d seen with adult red foots in already smaller open set ups as a means of instant improvement, not every average new member can modify entire rooms or sheds. That said, I go over a greenhouse set up here with ceramic bulbs, but a modified room/shed with RHP(s) and oil heating would be much more optimal for an adult red foot, however if you’re needing an indoor set up upgrade on the near future, perhaps you can follow these steps/get some ideas, I’m not sure that wooden house will last you long under the higher humidity. This housing thread covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc), correct levels, importance of a closed chamber for red foots(only way to maintain the humidity you need indoors), appropriately maintaining the humidity(they are prone to shell rot so this is important! No misters or humidifiers), safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, a diet list and a really handy diet link to check out! If going with a greenhouse, the lower the ceiling height, whilst still allowing for recommended bulb height, the better! But I’ll add some more ideas below for closed chambers
Housing older red foot/cherryhead
Hello there! In this thread I’m going to go over an example of an appropriate indoor red foot/cherryhead enclosure. As much as it’s encouraged to have tortoises in a safe outdoor enclosure(especially the size these guys get!) I understand being from the uk myself, that some climate’s make it...
tortoiseforum.org
I know I say ceramics in the thread, but you can absolutely use the panels linked above instead!
This includes different closed chambers, some work better than others
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
This includes lots of inspiration for an adult set up both indoors and out! The indoor bit has some good ideas to tackle indoor space whilst still providing the needed roaming room! Check comments too, I’m always adding to it, anything indoors will need to be a closed chamber style
Enclosure inspiration
Howdy folks! Hope everyone is well! As you all know, I’m a big fan of making threads that cater more towards visual learners like myself, I’ve really been wanting to create a thread full of adult enclosure inspiration for a while now, I’ve managed to find some great references over time! I do...
tortoiseforum.org
Lastly, this one here is good to go over and keep on hand, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying
Common keeping errors
Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...
tortoiseforum.org
I really hope they can help!
