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Newredfoot24
New thermometer and Hydrometers purchased 💓 • just placed in room•
hydro level range 79%-99%
Temp range 87-90 Fahrenheit//30.57-32.22C

I placed them all around for a full round up.
Newredfoot24
Newredfoot24
Humidity levels are rising.

Also, so sorry for everybody who keeps seeing this it’s primarily being used for myself as a journal
Newredfoot24
Reading up on RF. Theyre supposed to like a list of things including cuttlebone, did I purchase a (sorry) defective (sorry) RF? They don’t act or do RF things I find on this forum. •they don’t act sick, no bubbles, no goop from any places, no shell rot, no pyramiding. Humidity is high, I got new lights (prev thread)
I’m lost. I hope they’ll act according to the book 👏🏼😭
View previous comments…
Alex and the Redfoot
Alex and the Redfoot
RFs sometimes drastically change their food preferences (stop eating one thing and start eating something it didn't touch for years).

Cuttlebone is often ignored for months and then devoured in a day (it's common among all tortoises not only RF).
Alex and the Redfoot
Alex and the Redfoot
It's not a bad idea to do a vet checkup (for parasites, beak anomalies and such). But finding a good vet is not easy.

In the meanwhile, you can try to tweak temperatures a little bit, e.g. raise for 2-3F for a couple of days. Sometimes thermostats/thermometers can be off for some degrees.
Newredfoot24
Newredfoot24
I just bought 2 new thermostats & hygrometer, so there will be a total of 4 in her tank to make sure. I’m a little obsessed I guess.
Newredfoot24
Newredfoot24
I just put Speedy on the scale (very first weigh in since adoption on May 19)
1.25 oz - I have NOTHING to go off of.
I’ll take weight in a few days time to make sure they’re not dropping
theodorejr
Hello Tom!

I saw your posts about having a closed chamber for baby tortoises. My question is, at what time is the tortoise a juvenile and not a baby anymore? I have a hermann's tortoise born in 2023, it weighs 23g and is like 2 1/2 inches big. Does it still need the closed chamber with 80% min. humidity or can i move him to a open top? Thank you!
Tom
Tom
Not enough room to answer here. Make a thread on the forum. Short answer: Keep them in a closed chamber as long as you can. It prevents pyramiding and keeps them healthy.
D
Hey bud I recently rescued an approx 45lb sulcata tortoise about 6 months ago.. I was curious if you had any tips for cleaning the bottom of thier shell, I have read if you flip them over it’s really bad on their intestines and lungs. Do you have any tips? We are currently just trying to spray underneath with a hose while they walk 🤷‍♂️
Tom
Tom
Soak in warm water for an hour or more. Then tip the tortoise up with the back of the shell still resting on the bottom of your full soaking tub, nose pointing toward the sky. Then use one of those dishwashing brushes with the plastic bristles to scrub a dub dub. My scrubbers have a dull plastic "scraper" one one side if you flip the brush over. I use that for tough spots.
F
Hi Tom,
I was curious if you have any male Burmese Stars for sale. We only have about 20 sq ft for an indoor enclosure so I want to get a male to maximize their space, but I am having a hard time finding one for sale that is over a year old and can tell the gender. Would appreciate any help or insight, thanks!
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Tom
Tom
Also, you might be waiting a looooong time for the housing market to start making sense again.
F
Figster45
Okay, thanks for the info. I may just need to roll the dice on the gender then and look at the babies because either way I will build housing large enough for them. Curious, do you find that the males and females have similar personalities or the males are more interactive?
Tom
Tom
In most species, males are more outgoing. I don't see much difference in the Burmese stars. Both are outgoing and curious and approach me for food.
Newredfoot24
Saw a wonderful post about giving tough love to picky eaters. How long does this work?

I’m doing my best to get Speedy to consume greens; they’re OBSESSED with strawberries!! Adorable but annoying 😂🐢💓
View previous comments…
Newredfoot24
Newredfoot24
pellets & cactus. Yesterday Romaine lettuce & flower mix. Speedy really loves strawberries and cucumbers, but I’m afraid if I continue to give them that they won’t eat anything else. I keep a daily journal regarding what food they receive bath time and their bowel movements as well. speedy hasn’t given their food much of a thought but it’s only been 2 days
Alex and the Redfoot
Alex and the Redfoot
Strawberries are mushed easily with other foods, worth to give it a try. What about mushrooms, mango or papaya? They can't resist ripe fruit, usually - let freshly bought fruit to lay in a dark warm place for a 3-4 days in a closed bag.
Newredfoot24
Newredfoot24
In a dark bag? I never thought about that. Thank you! Speedy hasn’t touched the mango. But she/he is on the bowl. I did make an apt for the vet next week. So let us see what the issue is (if any)
Newredfoot24
thank you again for everybody who had helped me set up Speedy’s tank properly
Newredfoot24
Newredfoot24
They have been more active and alert. Currently are consuming some cucumbers and orange peppers.
Newredfoot24
Newredfoot24
I did notice that they are not a fan of the regular tortoise food that I had purchased, but instead really enjoy produce. But I do add calcium and cactus so at least I know they’re getting some of what they should be eating
Newredfoot24
Newredfoot24
I also went ahead and bought more hides and more plants to introduce into the enclosure, and I bought a fiber mat so that is the substrate will be covered.
S
Had a little LMAO moment today! I’ve been reported and blocked off the tortoise friendly community groups on Facebook for recommending to some users to use the tortoiseforum for more credible, useful and friendly advice 😂🐢
  • Haha
Reactions: Mr. RussianTortoise and Alex and the Redfoot
Alex and the Redfoot
Alex and the Redfoot
They friendly didn't put you on fire.
I guess they may have "external links" policy or such and just ban any references to external sites.
S
Shannon99
Well when I originally joined there was no rules to agree to but I presume they just make it up as they go along much like some of the information they dish out 😂
Alex and the Redfoot
Alex and the Redfoot
These rules are sometimes in the pinned posts. But you may be right. There are lots of stories like yours about FB and YT. Yet, to be honest, sometimes newcomers (no matter how experienced they are) on this forum get a "harsh welcome" and then word of mouth spreads to avoid TFO...
Sulcataandtortoiselover
New here! what should be the minimum size for a baby 9cm sulcata :D?
Alex and the Redfoot
Alex and the Redfoot
Hello and welcome! Go as large as you can - 1x2 meters is a good start.

Check this care sheet:

The Best Way To Raise A Sulcata, Leopard, Or Star Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. Babies hatch during the...
tortoiseforum.org tortoiseforum.org

Also, I suggest to start a new thread (use green button New thread in the top right) with photos of your tortoise and its enclosure to help you to tailor the advice to your climate and such.
S
Hi, @HoosierTort

I was wondering if you could help me out with any information or suggestions on this:
My step daughter’s adult male Russian tortoise has been living with us, however her mother has gotten a job placement out of the country and we are now looking for someone to rehome him to. We are in Indianapolis.

Greatly appreciate any help or suggestions you may have.

Thanks
N
Hello would you have any sulcata tortoise for sale?
Tom
Tom
I do not. And that is the wrong species for your climate. Get something that you can work with in your winters.
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