Squash: A Picky Redfoot

TFO,

It is with great trial and error that I approach you for advice. When I first got Squash I thought I had diet in the bag. I quickly learned that tortoises, like ourselves, have personalities and distinguishing factors that make each one unique.

I got Squash, a hatchling redfoot tortoise, off Undergroundreptiles.com and received him/her August 4th. Since that time I have tried ALL SORTS OF THINGS to try and get Squash to eat more. Here's what typically happens though, I prepare the food--the delicious food. All kinds of varieties of greens, weeds, cactus, flower mix, ZooMed forest mix, mazuri--you name it, I've tried it all. I also add low-fat cat food or a hard-boiled egg occasionally. I've blended vs not blended. I've mixed vs not. I lay the food out for Squash, place him/her next to the food. S/he takes a couple mouthfuls and then is totally uninterested. S/he walks away and never comes back to it.

I don't know what I'm doing wrong--is it that baby tortoises just don't eat that much?? Weight-wise, Squash is just over 70 grams. It has steadily increased, halted maybe once and I got all concerned, but started going up once again. August 4th weight was 45 grams, yesterday's weight was 71 grams. Is this an unusual rate?

I am getting really concerned due to Squash's continually "soft" shell. The shell is still quite pliable and pressable. I estimate Squash to be just around 6 months old or so now--is this unusual? I am using calcium powder with D3, cat food/egg once every other week (twice a month). The water in my area is also heavily calcified.

Am I freaking out for no reason or should I go see a vet soon? Poop's firm and dark dark green, which from past ownership of tortoises, I think is normal.

Please help!

Just a couple thoughts that may be useful. Is he warm enough, to cold and he won't be as active. Is his lighting to bright, I recently read a post on here where someones tortoise was inactive and spending lots of time in its hide until they dimmed the light some.
The soft shell - do you feed a lot of spinach. Spinach, cabbage, kale, and broccoli are high in oxalic acid which will bind with calcium in the body, locking it up and making it inaccessible for your tortoise. Hope some of this is helpful. I wouldn't be to worried about growth rate as long as there is growth, but the soft shell I would be concerned about.

mark109r said:

Just a couple thoughts that may be useful. Is he warm enough, to cold and he won't be as active. Is his lighting to bright, I recently read a post on here where someones tortoise was inactive and spending lots of time in its hide until they dimmed the light some.
The soft shell - do you feed a lot of spinach. Spinach, cabbage, kale, and broccoli are high in oxalic acid which will bind with calcium in the body, locking it up and making it inaccessible for your tortoise. Hope some of this is helpful. I wouldn't be to worried about growth rate as long as there is growth, but the soft shell I would be concerned about.

Click to expand...

I never feed spinach, cabbage or broccoli. Kale occasionally. I will try the dimmed lights. Soft shell worries me too

My red foot had a softish under belly and I changed how moist the substrate was. Increased heat and humidity but made what she walked on drier. Also try adding a cuttlebone and just let Squash nibble off it. You might be surprised at what they can do.

Kathy Coles said:

My red foot had a softish under belly and I changed how moist the substrate was. Increased heat and humidity but made what she walked on drier. Also try adding a cuttlebone and just let Squash nibble off it. You might be surprised at what they can do.

Click to expand...

I've done all of the above, too!

you might also want to post this in the red foot yellow foot section. I think you will get more people to respond

How long do you leave the food there, and what are the temperatures of his enclosure? If they are too cold, they cannot digest their food.
What are you using for lighting/uvb?

Yes. Can you include a photo of your lighting and what are your temperatures?
There are a few factors that could make your new tortoise not want to eat.