Best homing for red footed tortoise?

Question

I have recently purchased a small red-footed tortoise (4 " approx) and was sold a wooden viv, heat/basking bulb, florescent light, water bowl, hay pellets as a substrate and thermometers. I was advise to make a hide out of a shoe box and put in shredded newspaper (which my tortoise loves). To feed it fruit and veg and occasionally dog food or pinkies. Since been reading about the keeping of this species and I have changed the substrate to cyress mulch ( as seems to be recommended) and have changed the diet accordingly and purchased vitamin supplements too which i include now and again. Brought a cuttlefish bone, but are these ok for non-adult tortoises? Getting a hyrometer as was not advised about humidity and so spray the substrate daily to raise levels. Cannot find mazuri food which is recommended, so got another sort which is given in small amounts occasionally. Also got a reptile branch in basking area...please help with advice to make Redford a happier tortoise....

Answer 1

You are doing fine. Good call on changing the substrate, keeping hay damp would lead to mould. At that size yours would be about a year old. I don't give mine the actual cuttle bone but rather just scrape it onto their food. The humidity is important for this species, sub -optimal humidity is a strong contributing cause to the shell deformity called pyramiding. They should have a large enough water dish that allows them to sit and soak a bit. They tend to defecate in the water as well. The Mazuri website will direct you to a dealer of their product close to you, their tortoise chow is generally relished by redfoots. I would recommend removing the branch, you will likely find that he just climbs it enough to flip over on his back.

This is an excellent resource for all things tortoise related.
http://www.tortoisetrust.org/

Answer 2

Geez... these kits that stores sell end up doing more harm than good.

I've had a red-footed for three years now. Vet checked, confirmed in perfect health. So this is what you do:

1. Feed her greens. Dandelion greens, clovers, collard greens and kale are very high in calcium, which she needs to grow without deformities. Fresh fruits! Strawberries, bananas, cantaloupes, etc. Fresh veggies as much as possible, but easy on the corn.

Give her baths daily or every other day, to encourage elimination. If you bring her out, brush her shell with betadyne during a bath to kill any maggots or fly eggs that were laid on her while she was outside. The betadyne will also kill any external parasites and bacteria.

Remove all uneaten food that very same day. Forget the Mazuri and the dog food. She should get her protein from occasional worms and bugs, but don't feed them to often because the protein may deform her shell. Give her beans, chick peas and cooked grains instead.

They are the most personable turtles in the world. They are puppies in a shell. Oh boy once you develop a relationship with your red footed tortoise get ready for the heck of a treat that a reptile can give you! They're puppies in a shell

Answer 3

Have you seen this website?
http://www.redfoottortoise.com/generalcare.htm
Thay have great care advice. Also be sure to check out the diet sheet and edible plant list.

Answer 4

Sorry could not get info on red footed tortoise...is it the correct name.

Answer 5

Any type of fruit or vegi. if you have him in an outside cage plant soem hybiscuss, they go crazy for it

Answer 6

South America where they belong