Tiny for seven years old. Unusual shell shape.

[alexdavidevans1996]

So I just bought two red foots of some lady half way down the country, and she got them off her tattooist. I was pretty new at it but now I can see that there may be something wrong with little Adolf and Eva. Mostly that they shouldn't be so little. The woman said they are both seven years old. But neither are more than 6 inches. This is worrying me as I heard it's seven inches that they become sexually mature, and only the first ten years they grow rapidly. I really do want them to be okay and be able to have babies and be healthy. I shall post pictures of them and tank set up.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Alex, and welcome to the Forum!! (Did I assume your name correctly?)

You are correct in that the tortoises have not received correct care previous to your ownership.

All you can do now is set them up correctly and hope for the best. Provide them with calcium/vitamin d3 (in the form of UVB), the proper diet and a good, moist habitat.

We have some might good redfoot tortoise reading in the Tortoise Library

The first picture shows a pretty unusual carapace. I've never seen that type of pyramiding before (where the scute over the back end of the tortoise is raised all by itself).

Hopefully, good care from now on will help your new tortoises to be healthy.

 

[alexdavidevans1996]

Yeah it's Alex. ;D I'm more concerned about the growth. Will they ever be of the size that they can do the nasty? Cause I know I've got the heat, humidity, diet, bulb, flat rocks to file nails, water dish, cuttlefish bone. But is it too late for them to get into the rapid growth stage? But yeah i will head to that library thing now.

 

[Yvonne G]

Sometimes when they've been restricted in growth, they really never catch up. All you can do is hope for the best. Mazuri Tortoise Diet helps put on growth, but keep a close eye on the growth and make sure the soft body isn't growing faster than the shell.

 

[alexdavidevans1996]

What's mazuri diet? XD