Hey all!

[Tortalini]

Hey all,

My name is Christy, and I live in columbus Ohio.
I own a year old red foot that was given to me in march. My red foot is a boy, and I named him bulldozer. I was given a care sheet along with him, but I had more questions. I did some research and found tortoise forum.

I am really excited to get started, and meet you all!

 

[Ray--Opo]

Welcome Christy and Bulldozer. This is a great forum for information.
We also like pics of your tort

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Welcome from a Florida Redfoot keeper.
I'm curious about your care sheet.
Does it differ from our suggestions?

 

[Tortalini]

Not by much. One difference was that it said nothing about humidity or uv lighting. I actually just found out that tortoises need uva and uvb lighting. I'm happy I found that sooner rather than later. Although I do try to get him outside in the sun everyday.

 

[Ray--Opo]

Not by much. One difference was that it said nothing about humidity or uv lighting. I actually just found out that tortoises need uva and uvb lighting. I'm happy I found that sooner rather than later. Although I do try to get him outside in the sun everyday.

If you do get a UVB don't get the CFL type. They are the looped or coil type that screw in like a light bulb.
Get the flouresnt tube type. Arcadia has a HO 5.0 that would be sufficient.
While it's warm in Ohio the sun is the best way to go. Not for to long or you will overheat your tort.
After I let Opo out in the sun. I always give him a good soak.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Not by much. One difference was that it said nothing about humidity or uv lighting. I actually just found out that tortoises need uva and uvb lighting. I'm happy I found that sooner rather than later. Although I do try to get him outside in the sun everyday.

.....
And humidity is about the most important thing that a Redfoot needs.
I think you can toss that care sheet into the shredder.

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome to the Forum!

 

[Tortalini]

Thanks for all the info. How many times would you recommend I soak him a week? At the moment I'm soaking him 4 times a week.

 

[MPappagallo]

Welcome to the forum. Enjoy your new shell baby!

 

[Bountyboy]

Welcome to the forum... can we see some pics please.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Thanks for all the info. How many times would you recommend I soak him a week? At the moment I'm soaking him 4 times a week.

Once a week would do.
You need constant humidity in the enclosure.
Soaking doesn't take the place of ambient humidity.
75%+ is your goal.

 

[Ray--Opo]

Once a week would do.
You need constant humidity in the enclosure.
Soaking doesn't take the place of ambient humidity.
75%+ is your goal.

I know nothing about redfoots. So once a week is good for soaking?

 

[2turtletom]

Welcome Christy- I live in Columbus as well and keep hingeback tortoises, my advice is to listen carefully to the experts here- they are amazing resources.

 

[JLMDVM]

Hi Christy!
I’m still learning a lot too. I’m actually waiting on mine to arrive from the breeder, no exact date yet so you may well be ahead of me.
I live near Lancaster, Ohio.

 

[Tortalini]

Yeah, I'm pretty familiar with Lancaster. How old and what kind of tortoise are you getting?

 

[Elizabetty]

Welcome I’m new here too with a Redfoot juvenile

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I know nothing about redfoots. So once a week is good for soaking?

....If it's also being kept in a humid enough enclosure.
Mine live outdoors and it is STEAMY. They "self soak" in the pools that are out there.
I take that for granted on occasion

 

[Tortalini]

I've noticed my tortoises eyes have been a little watery. I think the humidity level is to low in my tank. I mist the tank several times a day, but it's drying up pretty fast. I think it's the bedding. I'm using Zoo Med cypress mulch. Any suggestions in different bedding?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

You'll need to close off allnor most of the top.
A "closed chamber" is really the ONLY option for keeping a Redfoot in a house.
A closed chamber will keep in both warmth AND humidity.

 

[JLMDVM]

Yeah, I'm pretty familiar with Lancaster. How old and what kind of tortoise are you getting?

Western Hermann’s hatchling- excited and nervous all wrapped up together! [emoji217][emoji173]️