Redfoot pyramided torts

Anyfoot · 22-10-2016, 08:46 PM

A few months back we got a phone call off of one of Dawn's distant relations asking for advice on her poorly torts, cut a long story short they had cold and was tret wih antibiotics, and returned to good health. About 2 wks ago we had another phone call asking if we would take these 2 torts off her hands. We hummed and rrrrrrd and said if she really wanted to get rid of them we would, kind of hoping she would change her mind. 5 days ago she asked again, and reluctantly we took them in. She brought them to our house that night, last Tuesday.
Well, shocked was an understatement. I was fuming inside. These torts have been kept in totally wrong conditions, they are a tropical species that require high humidity and an ambient temp of around 28°c. The only way to achieve this is in a closed system, not a open table like most of you guys do with the med species.
Because they have been kept too dry the carapaces have pyramided severely. On too of that the diet was all wrong, peas,carrots,sweetcorn and lettuce is not a good diet. On top of that they have never been outside because a vet told them 4yrs ago when they got them that they would need jabs before going outside. The information this couple was given for a 4 year period to care for this species was so far off the mark.
When I showed them one of my smooth torts the husband said "do they develope the bumps at a later age then". Sheesh.
Anyway, we've got them in quarantine for 6 months, they are about 9" so still some growing to do. Hopefully I can give them a good life now.
I'm hoping this thread helps others understand the importance of humidity,ambient temps and hydration for tropical torts. Made me sad when I saw these.
They seem to be walking strong so hoping MBD has not kicked in due to crap diet.
If you laid a piece of string over the peaks of these pyramids, this is where the carapace should be.
I'll just keep trying to bring this to light in the uk. What chance do we have when reptile shops and most vets haven't got a clue

Jan W · 22-10-2016, 08:53 PM

Oh so sad.

Thank goodness they are now with you to receive the care they need.

Do keep us updated of their progress.

When my 2 arrived aged 2, Bertie was a bit bumpy but has smoothed out somewhat.

burnt toast · 22-10-2016, 10:45 PM

What a shame

I too have some shocking torts. Nothing can be done about the past just got to give them the best life from here

Mine cope quite well & seem happy.

Anyfoot · 22-10-2016, 10:51 PM

Do you guys keep the med species humid, or soak them at all? What are you doing to achieve a smooth tort.

burnt toast · 23-10-2016, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anyfoot

Do you guys keep the med species humid, or soak them at all? What are you doing to achieve a smooth tort.

Yes youngsters I provide a humid hide ( cave deep soil humid) + more humid areas under plants etc. I try to soak daily. I think smooth torts come from lots of factors & the one which is never mentioned is exercise.

Anyfoot · 23-10-2016, 02:52 PM

I agree, size of enclosure is important, so is diet. Just like humans, if you don't burn off calories you end up with Ill health, however a perfect diet with plenty of exercise but kept dry will result in pyramiding.

CherryBrandy · 23-10-2016, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anyfoot

Do you guys keep the med species humid, or soak them at all? What are you doing to achieve a smooth tort.

Quote:

Originally Posted by burnt toast

Yes youngsters I provide a humid hide ( cave deep soil humid) + more humid areas under plants etc. I try to soak daily. I think smooth torts come from lots of factors & the one which is never mentioned is exercise.

Its so sad when you come across bad husbandry. Good job people like you about to take them on.
I bath daily my little lot kept indoors, outdoors not at all as they are kept as natural as possible and have the ability to drink and bath and soak. you a have to be committed for the long haul I think, too many keepers have 5 minute wonders which is incredible when these creatures live to the age they do. I spray the substrate daily also and the Tortoise ! I think this is particularly important because it sets them up environmentally when outdoors - rain, UK..rain ... weed growth ....flourishing plants...dry..not so flourishing plants...rain..growth ....forage...CB

Jan W · 23-10-2016, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anyfoot

Do you guys keep the med species humid, or soak them at all? What are you doing to achieve a smooth tort.

I was given a one page sheet with my torts with key points. Actually it was good, but I went straight to the Tortoise Trust website at the time and followed their advice. Regular baths, light/heat, weeds with nutrobol, soil/sand substrate and what should be in the table for their comfort and stimulation/exercise. They did advise against damp so I did not know about spraying them or the substrate and dried them meticulously after their bath.

Anyfoot · 23-10-2016, 06:55 PM

I'm just glad to hear you guys do spray and soak or use some sort of hydration method, because it fits the principal of how all torts grow. Phewwwwweeee.
Obviously species that come from rainforest will require higher humidity etc, but the principal is the same.
In nature when foliage is in abundance it's natural for there to be wet and humidity with it, hence the tort gets good nutritional foods and grows whilst it's humid and wet. Then the opposite is when it's very hot and arid, barren, not much nutritional foods, the torts slow up and don't grow during these drier periods, some even aestivate.
So in captivity we give them plenty of food year round, with this must be hydration of some sort.
Redfoots will gorge on fallen fruits in the wild, they've been observed sitting close by waiting for fruit trees to release the feast, these are high in nutrients and promote growth, however the fruit trees will only blossom and drop fruits during wet seasons.

Jan W · 24-10-2016, 02:42 PM

Most interesting. Redfoots sound so different.

22-10-2016, 08:46 PM	#1
Anyfoot Member Incubating Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 198	Redfoot pyramided torts A few months back we got a phone call off of one of Dawn's distant relations asking for advice on her poorly torts, cut a long story short they had cold and was tret wih antibiotics, and returned to good health. About 2 wks ago we had another phone call asking if we would take these 2 torts off her hands. We hummed and rrrrrrd and said if she really wanted to get rid of them we would, kind of hoping she would change her mind. 5 days ago she asked again, and reluctantly we took them in. She brought them to our house that night, last Tuesday. Well, shocked was an understatement. I was fuming inside. These torts have been kept in totally wrong conditions, they are a tropical species that require high humidity and an ambient temp of around 28°c. The only way to achieve this is in a closed system, not a open table like most of you guys do with the med species. Because they have been kept too dry the carapaces have pyramided severely. On too of that the diet was all wrong, peas,carrots,sweetcorn and lettuce is not a good diet. On top of that they have never been outside because a vet told them 4yrs ago when they got them that they would need jabs before going outside. The information this couple was given for a 4 year period to care for this species was so far off the mark. When I showed them one of my smooth torts the husband said "do they develope the bumps at a later age then". Sheesh. Anyway, we've got them in quarantine for 6 months, they are about 9" so still some growing to do. Hopefully I can give them a good life now. I'm hoping this thread helps others understand the importance of humidity,ambient temps and hydration for tropical torts. Made me sad when I saw these. They seem to be walking strong so hoping MBD has not kicked in due to crap diet. If you laid a piece of string over the peaks of these pyramids, this is where the carapace should be. I'll just keep trying to bring this to light in the uk. What chance do we have when reptile shops and most vets haven't got a clue

22-10-2016, 08:53 PM	#2
Jan W Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Hampshire Posts: 1,400	Oh so sad. Thank goodness they are now with you to receive the care they need. Do keep us updated of their progress. When my 2 arrived aged 2, Bertie was a bit bumpy but has smoothed out somewhat. __________________ Jan Horsfields - Bertie & Beatrice

24-10-2016, 02:42 PM	#10
Jan W Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Hampshire Posts: 1,400	Most interesting. Redfoots sound so different. __________________ Jan Horsfields - Bertie & Beatrice

22-10-2016, 10:45 PM	#3
burnt toast Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5,245	What a shame I too have some shocking torts. Nothing can be done about the past just got to give them the best life from here Mine cope quite well & seem happy.

22-10-2016, 10:51 PM	#4
Anyfoot Member Incubating Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 198	Do you guys keep the med species humid, or soak them at all? What are you doing to achieve a smooth tort.

23-10-2016, 02:52 PM	#6
Anyfoot Member Incubating Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 198	I agree, size of enclosure is important, so is diet. Just like humans, if you don't burn off calories you end up with Ill health, however a perfect diet with plenty of exercise but kept dry will result in pyramiding.

23-10-2016, 06:55 PM	#9
Anyfoot Member Incubating Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 198	I'm just glad to hear you guys do spray and soak or use some sort of hydration method, because it fits the principal of how all torts grow. Phewwwwweeee. Obviously species that come from rainforest will require higher humidity etc, but the principal is the same. In nature when foliage is in abundance it's natural for there to be wet and humidity with it, hence the tort gets good nutritional foods and grows whilst it's humid and wet. Then the opposite is when it's very hot and arid, barren, not much nutritional foods, the torts slow up and don't grow during these drier periods, some even aestivate. So in captivity we give them plenty of food year round, with this must be hydration of some sort. Redfoots will gorge on fallen fruits in the wild, they've been observed sitting close by waiting for fruit trees to release the feast, these are high in nutrients and promote growth, however the fruit trees will only blossom and drop fruits during wet seasons.

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