Redfoot Bought From Petco

[vlonethug]

I recently got a redfoot turtle at petco and as I’m slowly making his enclosure the best I can . He’s been eating not as much as I would like him too but aside from that I noticed the bottom of his shell looked really dry . Just asking for help if anyone knows how to prevent and treat this on my redfoot .

 

[Tom]

Dry is fine. Wet and fungus-y is a problem. They probably sold you all the wrong stuff and gave you all the wrong care and housing advice.

Redfoot Tortoise Care Sheet

NOTE: I do not keep redfoots, and I only have one tortoise in total. With this in mind, remember that I am in no way an expert, and this should not be used as cold hard proof of how to raise a redfoot. I used information from great keepers on this forum to put everything together. This care...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[Toddrickfl1]

I recently got a redfoot turtle at petco and as I’m slowly making his enclosure the best I can . He’s been eating not as much as I would like him too but aside from that I noticed the bottom of his shell looked really dry . Just asking for help if anyone knows how to prevent and treat this on my redfoot .

That's shell fungus. You can get some cheap athletes foot cream and put it in that spot to clear it up. Hopefully they didn't sell you the standard 40 gallon breeder setup pet stores sell. That tortoise is far too big to live in a tank.

 

[vlonethug]

i actually got the tank on OfferUp since they did tell me at the store a 40 Gallon tank was most efficient . Are you saying I need a bigger tank if I’m going to house him indoors ?

 

[Toddrickfl1]

i actually got the tank on OfferUp since they did tell me at the store a 40 Gallon tank was most efficient . Are you saying I need a bigger tank if I’m going to house him indoors ?

No tank would be big enough. You really shouldn't have anything smaller than 8x4 for a tortoise that size.

 

[method89]

when he reaches full size you need, at a minimum, a 4' x 8' enclosure for him to roam.

 

[vlonethug]

By 8 x 4 do you guys mean 8ft? Also do you guys have any recommendations on how to make an enclosure that large with a top to cover it . I read they must be kept in humid environments meaning there should not be a screen on the top of the tank or enclosure

 

[vlonethug]

Also you said it was fungus , so I’m wondering if I can use Kopertox. I know it’s specifically for horses but it is an anti fungal antibiotic so can anyone tell me if it’s safe to use for shell fungus @Tom

 

[Toddrickfl1]

By 8 x 4 do you guys mean 8ft? Also do you guys have any recommendations on how to make an enclosure that large with a top to cover it . I read they must be kept in humid environments meaning there should not be a screen on the top of the tank or enclosure

You really only need a closed chamber for Hatchlings and young torts. Your tortoise is large enough to get by with an open top. You could get away with spraying down the substrate and adding plants to boost humidity.

 

[Happytort27]

And yes, 8 ft by 4 ft.

 

[zovick]

i actually got the tank on OfferUp since they did tell me at the store a 40 Gallon tank was most efficient . Are you saying I need a bigger tank if I’m going to house him indoors ?

Just want to point out that you CAN buy excellent closed chamber enclosures, just not from pet stores. Animal Plastics is a company that makes very nice ones and one of our TFO members @Markw84 also makes and sells them. Maybe he will see this and come on to give you some info.
Both of the above sources can and will custom make these for customers to utilize the proper lighting and heating elements, etc., for the particular species for which the enclosure is needed.

Here is a link to AP Cages: https://apcages.com/collections/terrestrial-cages

A couple of my friends have 8' long AP setups and I am sure @Markw84 could make one that size as well if you wanted one.

 

[vlonethug]

And yes, 8 ft by 4 ft.

So if I were to buy a tortoise table from this link. I believe it is 3 feet long . This is still too small for my tortoise ? https://aivituvin.com/products/wood...ise-habitat-air21?_pos=1&_sid=e4c72c1b9&_ss=r

 

[Happytort27]

So if I were to buy a tortoise table from this link. I believe it is 3 feet long . This is still too small for my tortoise ? https://aivituvin.com/products/wood...ise-habitat-air21?_pos=1&_sid=e4c72c1b9&_ss=r

Yes, it would still be too small. Tortoises need a lot of room to roam.

 

[Blackdog1714]

you would be better with a grow tent if money is tight. Here is one on amazon. BTW those tortoise tables only make for good fire kindling
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DXYM98K/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

 

[vlonethug]

These are pretty cool but I’m sure building an enclosure myself with supplies from home depot would be a cool project. I believe I need untreated oakwood and someone on the thread mentioned it should be an open enclosure and I was wondering if that would not affect the moisture and temperature of the enclosure. So I’m assuming it would be best to have some sort of mesh over the top?

 

[turtlesteve]

These are pretty cool but I’m sure building an enclosure myself with supplies from home depot would be a cool project. I believe I need untreated oakwood and someone on the thread mentioned it should be an open enclosure and I was wondering if that would not affect the moisture and temperature of the enclosure. So I’m assuming it would be best to have some sort of mesh over the top?

If you are building one out of wood I’d select something moisture / rot resistant as the first consideration. Pine, redwood (where it’s available), or cedar tolerate moisture better than red oak. If you use plywood, spring the extra couple bucks a sheet for exterior grade.

I would also recommend sealing the whole interior with enamel paint, polyurethane, or similar (this also blocks the smell from pine or cedar).

 

[vlonethug]

sounds good , I appreciate the help . I recently bought some dirt from my local hardware store and it’s from the brand MIRACLE GROW . It’s Sphagnum Peat Moss and I’m wondering if that’s safe to mix in a substrate

 

[Blackdog1714]

sounds good , I appreciate the help . I recently bought some dirt from my local hardware store and it’s from the brand MIRACLE GROW . It’s Sphagnum Peat Moss and I’m wondering if that’s safe to mix in a substrate

No it has additives and fertilizers. Cypress mulch from Lowe’s or fin fir bark like Reptibark

 

[Mrs.Jennifer]

Anything from the Miracle Gro brand has fertilizers in it. It is not suitable for tortoises.

 

[vlonethug]

Anything from the Miracle Gro brand has fertilizers in it. It is not suitable for tortoises.

Even with a top layer of cypress mulch,