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Old 17-07-2018, 08:22 PM   #1
Mrswoo89
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Exclamation Help! New redfoot owner!!

Hello, I recently became the proud owner of a baby red foot named Dash.

I’m guessing he’s probably about 4 months old as he weighs 64.3g.

I have trawled the internet for advice about him. He is currently in a large tortoise table with a hide. He doesn’t come out unless I bring him out and place him under his basking lamp in the morning. He will stay there for around 20 minutes before going to eat a tiny bit of food then he goes and buried himself in the corner of his hide. Is this normal? I’m concerned that he isn’t getting enough uv etc. I think he stays in the hide most of the day whilst I am at work. When I’m home I give him a soak for about 15 minutes in shallow tepid water. Once he is back on the table he then goes straight back in the hide. I try and tempt him with a little more food but he wants to be in the dark. I feed him curly kale, dandelion leaves, dried flowers, and fruit for example tomatoes, strawberries apple and mango all sprinkled with calcium dust. I’m aware he needs animal protein but don’t even know where to begin with this?

I also wonder whether his hide needs more things. He has his hide, a log tunnel and his water dish. Would more plants/foliage help?

Also, would he thrive more with a friend? Do they prefer company?

I’m so worried I’m doing something wrong and would really appreciate any advice on the above please?

Thank you all 🙂🐢
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Old 17-07-2018, 11:21 PM   #2
tortydat
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I haven't really kept redfoots but as they come from a jungle environment they don't bask very much but do need it to be humid. You could try him with earthworms and small snails to see if he takes them. More plants would be better for him so that he could hide in them. Hopefully someone with more knowledge can help you more.
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Old 18-07-2018, 08:06 AM   #3
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Sorry, I don’t have any knowledge of red footed either, but a guess like all torts, it will take time for him to settle in to his new home .
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Old 18-07-2018, 11:38 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tortydat View Post
I haven't really kept redfoots but as they come from a jungle environment they don't bask very much but do need it to be humid. You could try him with earthworms and small snails to see if he takes them. More plants would be better for him so that he could hide in them. Hopefully someone with more knowledge can help you more.
As Mary has said they need humidity, and background heat. They are not a basking speices. And they eat worms etc. I am sure the tortoise trust site will have good info available. As on this site they are not commonly kept, but there are a few keepers on here. But they don't post that often:0)
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Old 18-07-2018, 12:26 PM   #5
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Firstly, welcome to the forum to you and Dash.
As Sandy says, there have been a few members on here who keep redfoots but don’t often post. However, I found an old post that you might like and it may be possible for you to try pm’ing the keeper for advice.

http://www.shelledwarriors.co.uk/for...hlight=Redfoot

Obviously, you’ve done your research and realise they grow big and they need lots of space to wander about, including through the winter as they’re non-hibernating.
My knowledge is very limited, based only on what I’ve read on here over the years, but humidity is very important.

Suze mentioned that new torts can take a while to settle in, so it may be that’s the case and within a few more days Dash will be eating much more and coming out of his hide a little more too.

Good luck and photos are always welcome on here!
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Old 18-07-2018, 03:08 PM   #6
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You will do better with and I'm sure I will get shot down for saying it a vivarium.
They need a good steady heat and high humidity when young and you will struggle to achieve that on a table also they need a small pool type they are able to soak but not to deep.
And like others have said it could take days or even weeks to come around to being somewhere different.

Last edited by Gordon; 18-07-2018 at 09:43 PM.
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Old 19-07-2018, 01:55 PM   #7
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ooh Dash welcome and you too. Suspect he is still getting use to things and food etc.At 64.g odd he won't be eating that much and is probably active when not looking ! Good luck with environment, lots of useful advice on here. As Emma says non hibernating so make space grows with Tortoise whether vivarium. after 5 posts your posts will appear live time, they are checked prior to this, CB
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