Another newbie

[13Fox150]

Hi all, my family and I are from wherever the Army sends me which means Kansas for now. We just welcomed a new baby Red Foot and are all excited about it. My daughter named it Darwin after the Guinea Pig in "G-Force" not the naturalist from the Beagle. I'm new to Torts but not reptiles, and have been lurking around here for a while soaking up all the good information.

Justin

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Justin:

WELCOME to the forum!!

 

[Tom]

Welcome. I worked on that movie. I helped with the background animals in the pet shop scenes.

 

[DoctorCosmonaut]

Welcome! Redfoots are amazing little torts! Don't be afraid to ask me, or post on the RF topic area, with any questions you may have about raising them

 

[Stephanie Logan]

Welcome Justin!

How old is your little munchkin? I hope you've "soaked up" everything you need to provide a healthy, pleasant enclosure for wee what's-his-name.

You may already have seen this thread on how to post photos, so ante up!

http://tortoiseforum.org/thread-5245.html

 

[terryo]

Hi Justin...welcome to the forum! Yup...we love pictures here.

 

[egyptiandan]

Welcome to the forum Justin

Danny

 

[DonaTello's-Mom]

Hello! You'll love it here. Everyone is just great. WELCOME!!!

 

[terracolson]

Welcome

 

[Isa]

Welcome to the forum

 

[Defiant]

Welcome!! A picture says a thousand words

 

[13Fox150]

Here is a pic of the new little guy. I'm not sure of his(?) age but he is quite small. He easily fits in the palm of my hand.

Right now he is housed in a 75g aquarium. I know there are mixed feelings about tortoises and aquariums but it's what I had from my days as an avid fish keeper. I am using Repti-bark as a substrate and use large driftwood covered in moss as a hide. I have a heating pad under the hide and a heat lamp, as well as a UVB bulb but after reading some other posts I am questioning the UVB.

 

[muddled]

Welcome! And what a cute little tortoises!

From what I hear, even though aquariums aren't recommended as the best enclosures for tortoises, they're particularly good for redfoots because they do a great job at keeping the humidity up. Bark isn't a great substrate (I'm sure someone will chip in and explain more on that) but sphagnum moss is a great replacement. I keep mine under a 5.0 UVB bulb.

 

[13Fox150]

Welcome. I worked on that movie. I helped with the background animals in the pet shop scenes.

That's awesome. My daughter loved the movie and my wife and I enjoyed it too. It's one of those "great for the whole family" sort of shows. Great job!

 

[Stephanie Logan]

Little Darwin is adorable.

What are you guys feeding him?

 

[13Fox150]

Well we have only had him a few days but so far he's had fresh greens and some "Tortoise Bites" that the store recommended. I'm pretty sure I'm doing away with the bites and I'm picking up some powdered calcium carbonate tomorrow.