A bit confused (not difficult lol)

got me a tortoise · 30-12-2011, 10:18 PM

I was under the impression, rightly or wrongly, that redfoots need to be in very damp, humid conditions but when we went to the tortoise sanctuary in August, their redfoots were in outside runs and their shed door was open too. There were ponds for them if they needed water but they seemed quite happy wondering about in the dry sunny atmosphere.
Also, I've read that people on the forum put their reds outside in the summer, but when I put Terry out in the sun last year he wasn't happy about it so I took him back indoors after about an hour.
Is putting them outside something that has to be done gradually in the summer or do some just not enjoy it?.
Cheers.

littlestar · 30-12-2011, 10:29 PM

don't keep reds but i believe thay have to be kept in "humid + hot" conditions.

got me a tortoise · 30-12-2011, 10:49 PM

yeah thats what I thought, hence the confusion

TDB · 30-12-2011, 10:55 PM

I have reds but only for last three months so not had the problem of outdoors yet

mine are in a warm viv 34 degrees hot end and 25 cool end humidity is at about 80%
am planning to utilise my green house for them next year as think i'll beable to control the humidity better. You could PM redfootmarg I think he has redfoots or Dan and EJ good luck x

got me a tortoise · 30-12-2011, 11:12 PM

Cheers for the reply. I've got him well sorted and happy indoors but would like to get him outdoors in the summer if it isn't going to freak him out.

**egyptiandan64** · 30-12-2011, 11:26 PM

As young animals, Redfoots stay strictly in the rainforests. As adults though they will venture out into savanahs (grasslands) to search for food. Your Redfoot will be fine outside if you provide him/her with plenty of shade and/or shelters from the sun.
They would always prefer to be warm and humid, than warm and dry.

Danny

got me a tortoise · 31-12-2011, 12:40 AM

Thanks Danny, I'd like to get him out in the garden in the summer.

EJ · 31-12-2011, 12:54 PM

If you can purchase or borrow a copy of South American Tortoises by the Vinkes' and Vetters' you will see just how dry Redfoot tortoise habitat really is throughout most of its range.

The don't require any higher humidity than any other tortoise.

http://www.chaco-wildlife.org/indexen.htm

got me a tortoise · 31-12-2011, 03:47 PM

Thanks EJ. Thats good news. I'll get a copy of that book.

**Alan1** · 31-12-2011, 03:50 PM

prefer and require are not quite the same thing

30-12-2011, 10:18 PM	#1
got me a tortoise Member Egg Join Date: May 2011 Location: Plymouth, Devon. Posts: 67	A bit confused (not difficult lol) I was under the impression, rightly or wrongly, that redfoots need to be in very damp, humid conditions but when we went to the tortoise sanctuary in August, their redfoots were in outside runs and their shed door was open too. There were ponds for them if they needed water but they seemed quite happy wondering about in the dry sunny atmosphere. Also, I've read that people on the forum put their reds outside in the summer, but when I put Terry out in the sun last year he wasn't happy about it so I took him back indoors after about an hour. Is putting them outside something that has to be done gradually in the summer or do some just not enjoy it?. Cheers. __________________ Steve. 2 Spur thighs 1 Marginated 1 Redfoot 3 Dogs 1 Cat 9 Fish A pet toad ans a Turtle called Alan.

30-12-2011, 10:49 PM	#3
got me a tortoise Member Egg Join Date: May 2011 Location: Plymouth, Devon. Posts: 67	yeah thats what I thought, hence the confusion __________________ Steve. 2 Spur thighs 1 Marginated 1 Redfoot 3 Dogs 1 Cat 9 Fish A pet toad ans a Turtle called Alan.

30-12-2011, 11:12 PM	#5
got me a tortoise Member Egg Join Date: May 2011 Location: Plymouth, Devon. Posts: 67	Cheers for the reply. I've got him well sorted and happy indoors but would like to get him outdoors in the summer if it isn't going to freak him out. __________________ Steve. 2 Spur thighs 1 Marginated 1 Redfoot 3 Dogs 1 Cat 9 Fish A pet toad ans a Turtle called Alan.

30-12-2011, 11:26 PM	#6
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	As young animals, Redfoots stay strictly in the rainforests. As adults though they will venture out into savanahs (grasslands) to search for food. Your Redfoot will be fine outside if you provide him/her with plenty of shade and/or shelters from the sun. They would always prefer to be warm and humid, than warm and dry. Danny __________________

31-12-2011, 12:40 AM	#7
got me a tortoise Member Egg Join Date: May 2011 Location: Plymouth, Devon. Posts: 67	Thanks Danny, I'd like to get him out in the garden in the summer. __________________ Steve. 2 Spur thighs 1 Marginated 1 Redfoot 3 Dogs 1 Cat 9 Fish A pet toad ans a Turtle called Alan.

30-12-2011, 10:29 PM	#2
littlestar Member Hatched Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: England Posts: 279	don't keep reds but i believe thay have to be kept in "humid + hot" conditions.

30-12-2011, 10:55 PM	#4
TDB Member Incubating Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nottingham Posts: 241	I have reds but only for last three months so not had the problem of outdoors yet mine are in a warm viv 34 degrees hot end and 25 cool end humidity is at about 80% am planning to utilise my green house for them next year as think i'll beable to control the humidity better. You could PM redfootmarg I think he has redfoots or Dan and EJ good luck x

31-12-2011, 12:54 PM	#8
EJ Senior Member Adult Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 8,277	If you can purchase or borrow a copy of South American Tortoises by the Vinkes' and Vetters' you will see just how dry Redfoot tortoise habitat really is throughout most of its range. The don't require any higher humidity than any other tortoise. http://www.chaco-wildlife.org/indexen.htm __________________ Ed Tortoise Keerpers @ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Tortoise_Keepers and http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/284442591651347/ Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

31-12-2011, 03:47 PM	#9
got me a tortoise Member Egg Join Date: May 2011 Location: Plymouth, Devon. Posts: 67	Thanks EJ. Thats good news. I'll get a copy of that book. __________________ Steve. 2 Spur thighs 1 Marginated 1 Redfoot 3 Dogs 1 Cat 9 Fish A pet toad ans a Turtle called Alan.

31-12-2011, 03:50 PM	#10
Alan1 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sunny Scotland Posts: 21,512	prefer and require are not quite the same thing

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