phillip1982
New Member
I need help I am getting Redfoot Tortoises. What are all the needs? It is a year old
Help (redfoot care)
- Thread starter phillip1982
- Start date
How many?
It will still need a closed chamber enclosure with orchid or fir bark for a substrate that is damp on the bottom. A tube florescent for uvb and ceramic heat emitter for temps to stay around 84.
The enclosure should be at least a 3 or 4 by 6 feet. It's will last you a year or two.
@ZEROPILOT can help further.
It will still need a closed chamber enclosure with orchid or fir bark for a substrate that is damp on the bottom. A tube florescent for uvb and ceramic heat emitter for temps to stay around 84.
The enclosure should be at least a 3 or 4 by 6 feet. It's will last you a year or two.
@ZEROPILOT can help further.
We have a couple VERY good redfoot care articles in our redfoot and yellowfoot section. Go back to the Forum's home page and scroll down past "Species specific" and click on "South American tortoises." Once you've located the articles you can keep going back and re read them.
phillip1982
New Member
I was going to use a tote is 40 gallon just one redfoot tortoise it's 1yr old
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2014
- Messages
- 29,130
- Location (City and/or State)
- South Eastern Florida (U.S.A.)/Rock Hill S.C.
You'll need to set up a closed chamber enclosure. You can search them on this forum. A closed chamber keeps humidity up by evaporation and it also traps in warmth.
Orchid bark works best in a closed chamber enclosure. A little water is poured into the corners and the bark absorbs it. Giving off humidity and eliminating the need to spray anything, etc.
Your temperature needs to be an ambient 80 to 86 degrees. 82 to 84 is ideal.
The humidity needs to be over 70%.
The lighting shouldn't be very bright. Avoid mvb lights and bright spot lights. Use a T5 ho 10.0 strip florescent UVB tube for uvb. (No screw in bulb types) and a che with a thermostat. Although in some closed chamber enclosures a thermostat may not be required. Sometimes two che are needed. Whatever keeps the temperature within range 24/7 that works for you.
Additional lighting can be florescent or LED. Anything that provides light for 12 hours of daytime but isn't harsh light.
What do you already own?
Please don't spend your good money on pet store items. Very little of what you'll need is sold there.
Check with us.
Other items you can get are a clay flower pot to lay sideways, partially buried as a night house and a few clay (terra cotta) plant saucers for water and food.
Actually the pots, saucers and orchid bark are at the HOME DEPOT.
A one year old Redfoot is still growing fast. Build something as large as you can.
It's a common issue for new keepers to have little understanding of how much room their tortoise will need.
There's so much unhelpful information out there. And lots of idiots doing everything wrong that will argue with you trying to justify their horrible tortoise husbandry.
Welcome to the forum.
We're here to help today, tomorrow and for years to come with right up to the minute information.
We're very happy to be of assistance.
And it's free
Orchid bark works best in a closed chamber enclosure. A little water is poured into the corners and the bark absorbs it. Giving off humidity and eliminating the need to spray anything, etc.
Your temperature needs to be an ambient 80 to 86 degrees. 82 to 84 is ideal.
The humidity needs to be over 70%.
The lighting shouldn't be very bright. Avoid mvb lights and bright spot lights. Use a T5 ho 10.0 strip florescent UVB tube for uvb. (No screw in bulb types) and a che with a thermostat. Although in some closed chamber enclosures a thermostat may not be required. Sometimes two che are needed. Whatever keeps the temperature within range 24/7 that works for you.
Additional lighting can be florescent or LED. Anything that provides light for 12 hours of daytime but isn't harsh light.
What do you already own?
Please don't spend your good money on pet store items. Very little of what you'll need is sold there.
Check with us.
Other items you can get are a clay flower pot to lay sideways, partially buried as a night house and a few clay (terra cotta) plant saucers for water and food.
Actually the pots, saucers and orchid bark are at the HOME DEPOT.
A one year old Redfoot is still growing fast. Build something as large as you can.
It's a common issue for new keepers to have little understanding of how much room their tortoise will need.
There's so much unhelpful information out there. And lots of idiots doing everything wrong that will argue with you trying to justify their horrible tortoise husbandry.
Welcome to the forum.
We're here to help today, tomorrow and for years to come with right up to the minute information.
We're very happy to be of assistance.
And it's free
Last edited:
mojo_1
Well-Known Member
Welcome to the forum neighbor. Glad you found us. Please post some pictures of your new tortoise when you get it.
phillip1982
New Member
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2014
- Messages
- 29,130
- Location (City and/or State)
- South Eastern Florida (U.S.A.)/Rock Hill S.C.
The moss and Reptisoil is not acceptable. (In my opinion)
Get a refund.
Although it IS EXCELLENT at retaining moisture, tortoises often eat it, and it can not be digested.
Reptisoil contains both moss and sand.
Orchid bark is less expensive and contains only fir bark.
Get a refund.
Although it IS EXCELLENT at retaining moisture, tortoises often eat it, and it can not be digested.
Reptisoil contains both moss and sand.
Orchid bark is less expensive and contains only fir bark.
phillip1982
New Member
All crap thanks will do .. what light do you recommend
Alex and the Redfoot
Well-Known Member
Hello!
ZooMed Forest Floor - is a good substrate option, soil and moss are not.
CHE for heating is fine, you need either wide dome for it or no dome at all - depends on enclosure height and if it is inside or on top of the enclosure.
For UVB light: look for ZooMed Reptisun 10.0 (it's a lamp and also needs compatible fixture) or, as the best option, for Arcadia proT5 Desert 10% (it's a lamp + fixture).
For ambient light any LED strip or bulb should do the job (get one with a neutral or cold day light - 5500-6500K).
UVB tube fixture, wide dome for CHE, LED lights, timers, digital thermometer/hygrometer can be found in Home Depot or similar stores. Worth looking there first.
