Red footed juvenile

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Hi everyone! I'm Netta from Vancouver island and acquired a approx 6 mth old rft last month, Oskar. His initial poop was solid but last few weeks it's been mushy like the mazuri pellet when wet and mashed. Is this normal? Also he up chuck the pumpkin purée once last week but still continues to eat and poo. He doesn't eat a lot and seems quite picky. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Humidity is hard to maintain fluctuates bet 30-70 but temp is bet 85-100F. He's in a Rubbermaid Xmas tote n I'm using peat moss, cypress mulch n sphagnum moss.
Thank you.

 

[wellington]

Do you have the enclosure covered? I would get the humidity up, but keep the top layer if substrate dry as RF are more prone then most other torts to shell rot. The runny/soft poop may be caused from the pumpkin. If it doesn't get better soon, you may want to bring a stool sample into the vets and have it checked for parasites.

 

[[email protected]]

Ok thank you. Yes the hide areas are pretty dry while I try n wet down the other side. I do spray the enclosure a few times a day as well as leave a small humidifier on for an hour everyday. I'll check to see if my vet cares for tortoises as well. Thanks again.

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Yes lately I've been covering half the enclosure with cardboard.

 

[pfara]

Ok thank you. Yes the hide areas are pretty dry while I try n wet down the other side. I do spray the enclosure a few times a day as well as leave a small humidifier on for an hour everyday. I'll check to see if my vet cares for tortoises as well. Thanks again.

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Yes lately I've been covering half the enclosure with cardboard.

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Use anything other than cardboard. I would think the cardboard would absorb moisture, lowering humidity. Plexiglass, foil, etc. are better choices.

 

[[email protected]]

Ok I'll change to foil then. Thanks!

 

[pfara]

Oh and try lowering your temps. Redfoots do better in the mid 80s and it should help raise your humidity a little. Check out www.tortoiselibrary.com for more info.

 

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Great! I'll read up. Thanks for all the advice!

 

[Candy]

I keep my Cherries temps at 85 on one side and 60's on the other. They decide when they're too warm or too cold. My humidity is not so good either but they seem to be doing well anyway.

 

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Thanks candy. Yes Oskar prefers the cooler side too. This made me worried bec I've read that high temp is imp for its metabolism and so on. But he's eating quite well although a little picky.
Thanks again.