new cherryhead redfoot hatchling ....

verda

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I found out that my family will be getting me a cherryhead redfoot hatchling for my birthday this coming week. Before it gets here I am getting his/her indoor enclosure ready, would a 40 gal tank be ok to house a hatchling for now? And should I get a CHE ( how many watts ? ) what should the night time and ambient temp be? and how often should we feed it worms(how much) or other proteins? Sorry this is a lot of questions, I just wanted to make sure I give it a good start. The baby will be outdoor everyday for natural sunlight, weather here is great most of the time. Thanks.
 

kathyth

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Please check out The Tortoise Library and Turtletary.com Redfoot caresheet.
How fun for you!!!
 

tortdad

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84 degrees by day, not lower than 80 at night. Basking area at 95, humidity at a constant 90% or better. Protein twice a month but not until it's about 6 months old. If you let it get lower than 80 your risking a respiratory infection. 40 gals is the smallest you can go and it won't last but a few months. In an enclosure that small you are going to have a hard time offering a basking spot and not heating up the entire enclosure. Use small watt bulbs for a small enclosure. It will dehydrate easy so soak one or two times a day 15-20 mins each time, changing out the water every 5 mins to make sure it stays warm (like a babies bath water, not hot).

I use a 3 day feeding schedule with mine. Day 1 is greens/veggies/weeds or flowers. Day 2 is a repeat of day one but with different foods for verity. Day 3 is fruit. Mine don't like the taste of the calcium powder (which they should have 2 or 3 times a week) so i sprinkle it on there fruit. I use Mazuri too. Verity is key, you don't like to eat the same things everyday and neither will yours unless you don't start them right from the start. Redfoots are awesome. Check out all the threads and care sheets you can. Like said above.... Tortoise library is a GREAT resource and a member here started that site.
For protein you can use worms or pill bugs, pinky mice. I use boiled shrimp or chicken for mine. Even a boils egg will work but mine puke if I feed that to them. UVB light is a must and natural sunlight a few times a week will do them wonders.


0.0.1 Redfoot (Spike)
0.0.1 Cherryhead Redfoot (Bruce Wayne)
1.0 Sulcata (Hal Jordan)
 

tortdad

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I'm in Houston too so let me know if you need help setting anything up.


0.0.1 Redfoot (Spike)
0.0.1 Cherryhead Redfoot (Bruce Wayne)
1.0 Sulcata (Hal Jordan)
 

mike taylor

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I'm also in Houston can help if need be . If you have room build the enclosure yourself . The price you will pay for a tank you can build a plywood box cheaper and bigger . Trust me on this go bigger or you will spend some money on enclosures . They grow quickly if kept in the right environment .
 

tortdad

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Also..... If you haven't bought one yet I highly recommend a breeder on this forum, Jeff N2torts. He has the best Cheeryheads and you are guarantied to get a healthy and active tort.
@N2TORTS


0.0.1 Redfoot (Spike)
0.0.1 Cherryhead Redfoot (Bruce Wayne)
1.0 Sulcata (Hal Jordan)
 

N2TORTS

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;) Why Thanks T-Dad........I actually do have some ready to go ....:)
 

verda

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Thanks everyone, I think my family had already bought one and should be deliver to my house in 2 days. And as for the enclosure it will be just for now, I will have a larger one built . I am only housing it in a 40 gal cause it's already here from my leopards when I first got them, and they are in a bigger area now so I will use this until the other one is built. Ty all for the infos. Also Jeff N2TORTS I am probably going to get another one later on once I get the hang of taking care of this one and have everything all ready I will ask u first ^_^
 

verda

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Ty tortdad & Mike also for the help offer, I will let u know if I need anything. There is so many differently ways out there to take care of one, I just feel more comfortable asking u all here. At least I feel a little better knowing ya are here if I need any help. Thanks!!! I will post pics soon ^_^
 

Turtlepete

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84 degrees by day, not lower than 80 at night. Basking area at 95, humidity at a constant 90% or better. Protein twice a month but not until it's about 6 months old. If you let it get lower than 80 your risking a respiratory infection.

Hey tortdad,
I know you mean well and intend to share information, but that's really not correct, at all. Temps lower then 80 don't cause respiratory infections. In reality, the young would experience temps lower then that in the wild, likely in microclimates of very high humidity. I wouldn't even blink until it got in the lower 70s. I've had young hatchlings exposed to that dozens of times without issue. Again, I know you mean well, but it's really not beneficial to spread misinformation.

A 40 gallon could house him for a little while, but find something better quick. Your really not going to be able to create a proper and stimulating environment in a small glass box like that. Make sure you cover it with plastic or aluminum foil, or something along those lines, to keep the humidity in.

Good luck.
 

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