Red Footed Tortoise Health Help?

[Emily Burleigh]

Hi, I have had my red foot, Zeus, for about a year and a half (he was 1/2 year old when I got him), and I am still unsure of what a healthy tortoise looks like and acts like. He is very active, but wheezes a little bit. But he seems to only wheeze when he is in a situation he doesn't like? (baths, or being carried around for example). Whenever he is in his enclosure, or eating, he is fine, and doesn't wheeze at all. I live in south west Louisiana, so I am not sure about the humidity thing. I feed him three times a week, because I read in a few places that tortoises become adults at two and only need to eat that much. I give him leafy greens on Sundays and Thursdays, and a leafy green with fruit on Tuesdays. He gets calcium with every meal. I have tried to give him boiled eggs as protein, but he refuses to eat it. He is pyramiding.. but he was like that when I bought him from the pet store, and I have been trying to correct it. I really just want to make sure I am doing everything right, because I love the little guy. I am posting multiple pictures of him, and one of his enclosure.

He also has what looks like a freckle on his neck? It is sometimes brown, but in the picture looks more white. I have no idea what it is.

 

[Emily Burleigh]

I know his enclosure isn't very good, but I am planning on buying a Tortoise table soon that is really nice, so I am already working on that issue.

 

[wellington]

What's the temps and humidity? RF need a higher humidity, that's why he is pyramided, he was raised too dry. Also, the table, will be hard to hold in humidity unless you can cover most or all of it. At this point you can't reverse the pyramiding,but you can get him to start growing smooth new growth and it will be better for his health to have proper levels of humidity.
Check out this forum members site, it's great for tortoises, but specially RF owners. It's https://sites.google.com/site/tortoiselibrary/

 

[Emily Burleigh]

Thank you so much.

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

Wheezing when being bothered? It could be that he's scared. A lot of people describe their torts 'hissing' when bothered, and quickly drawing their heads into their shells. It is the sound of air being expelled out his lungs so he can fit into his shell. Stick around for great ideas for tables/ care.

 

[crimson_lotus]

Does he eat any protein at all? I feed my redfoot some protein once a month - I've tried some boiled chicken and she loves it.

 

[Emily Burleigh]

I try a boiled egg once a month, but he only eats a fraction of it. I will try boiled chicken though.