Excited New Redfoot Tortoise Owner

[toothpick21]

Hello everyone, I just purchased my first tortoise yesterday. I have added a red footed tortoise to my family. I'm very excited to raise him/her up into a healthy adult. I'm looking for any tips to keep him/her healthy and comfortable. I'm using a coconut substrate now, but after reading different posts in this forum I'm switching to Cypress Mulch. Any other tips or tricks that may help would be much appreciated.

 

[pdrobber]

welcome!

 

[dmarcus]

Hello and welcome to the forum...

 

[mattk]

Welcome to the forum. Nice looking Red foot

 

[tyler0912]

Welcome enjoy your stay!

 

[Redstrike]

welcome!

 

[DSaenz]

Welcome!!

 

[oscar]

nice looking red foot. Don't do what I did with my first two young redfoots,
I did not keep them warm enough and didn't have the humidity high enough
one got sick and I lost him.
I hope I have gained a lot of knowledge since then, mainly from this forum
good luck with your new red foot.
steve

 

[Yash Raj]

Welcome.

 

[CtTortoiseMom]

Hi & Welcome!! That is a very cute tortoise!!

 

[Momof4]

Welcome!! He is very cute!! Kepp him warm.

 

[Zamric]

Welcom to the Forum!

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

Welcome.

 

[Redstrike]

nice looking red foot. Don't do what I did with my first two young redfoots,
I did not keep them warm enough and didn't have the humidity high enough
one got sick and I lost him.
I hope I have gained a lot of knowledge since then, mainly from this forum
good luck with your new red foot.
steve

A heat gradient of 80ºF on the cool side and 90ºF on the warm side is good. Many very successful and reputable folks on this forum don't use a gradient, keeping their tort's enclosures at 85ºF ubiquitously. The choice is up to you. I like to provide some options, but it's not necessary.

Keep a varied diet and use calcium sparingly at each feeding - I use an old salt shaker to sprinkle small amounts on food every morning. When you have time, navigate this site for diet and habitat info:
https://sites.google.com/site/tortoiselibrary/

If you can afford it, I'd purchase Mike Pingleton's book, it's an invaluable investment:
http://www.pingleton.com/redfoot/redfoots.htm

 

[N2TORTS]

Welcome to your new addiction! ......

Goooo Redsss !

 

[evlinLoutries]

Hello, and welcome to the forum!

 

[toothpick21]

Are the coil UVB lights really bad for my tortoise?

 

[Yvonne G]

Yes. Here's a whole thread on the subject:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread...Freddy-s-Issues-Thanks-Tortania#axzz1hFM6GyoK

It mainly talks about the tube-type, but the coil is included in there too.

 

[toothpick21]

Thanks a lot! I will be getting a new UVB bulb first thing tomorrow! I don't believe his eyes are hurt, but he has been lethargic and reluctant to eat since I purchased him on Sunday. Any recommendations on UVB bulbs?

 

[CLMoss]

Welcome to the forum! And what a cute little baby!