I am new

[mattgrizzlybear]

Hi I am new and am thinking about getting a baby red foot tortoise. I don't know what I should do about the lighting should I even have one? I know what I need,a food/water dish a hide, ect. I want to know the best products (I already know to not get pets from Petco) and where to get them at the lowest price. I also want to know if I should get a M or FM. Thank you any info will help!

 

[Madkins007]

There are lots of good sites on line for the basic info. I have one linked below and put in as many links to others I like as I could find.

Your BEST set-up will depend in part on what the climate in your area is like- roughly where are you?

Best sources? Our own AllegraF is my top fave, but there are several great sources here in the forums in the sales threads.

M or F? You won't know what the sex is until it is a few years old minimum- ALL young tortoises show female characteristics.

 

[CharlieM]

Welcome!

Check this out:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-Moving-sale-3-cherries-for-350-shipped#axzz1ywpAKHDx

Allegra has amazing torts. I just saw them a few days ago.

 

[Redstrike]

There are other very reputable breeders on the forum, I've only purchased from Allegra and agree with the previous two raves (she is top-notch!). Allegra's current deal of 3 cherryheads for $350 shipped is UNBELIEVABLE! I have 4 from her and could not be happier. Check out the "For Sale" forum and see which breeder works for you. Some have northerns, guyanan, and easterns. Lots to choose from.

Yep, you'll need lighting. Poke around on Madkins007's site that he provides above. You want to provide UVB in addition to UVA (standard light) for your RF hatchling(s). Whether this is through specialized lighting or outdoor excursions is up to you. Though I will say natural sunlight is unbeatable.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi mattgrizzleybear:

Welcome to the Tortoise Forum!!

Read the Tortoise Library in madkins007 signature.

What would you like us to call you?

...and may we know appx. where in the world you are?

 

[pam]

Welcome

 

[mattgrizzlybear]

thank you i live in ohio around cleveland

 

[mattgrizzlybear]

thank you but i am looking for a regular red foot tortoise not a cherry head but thank you

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thanks

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thank you that library really will help

 

[allegraf]

You guys make me blush! And thank you! I am only one of many producing nice torts cherry or regular! If you are brand spanking new to tort keeping, I would recommend an older tort. The hatchlings have specific requirements and once they are feeling poorly, it goes downhill quickly. An older tort's requirements are more forgiving and they are more outgoing.

You should ask other keepers in your area how they keep their torts. I am in S. Florida so it is vastly different from Ohio. Before you buy, I would suggest you familiarize yourself with the different types of redfoots, it is an addiction. That way you can keep with the same "type/locale" throughout your addiction. Have fun!

Allegra

 

[EP429]

I think it's fair to recognize a few other breeders, not to knock Allegra in any way, but it's always nice to know your options, and you might/will decide you want another shortly after getting your first
Having said that, Allegra has a great reputation on this forum, is readily available for information, and does produce some very amazing looking torts!
Here's a couple I have bookmarked, there's lots of others out there as well.

Vicki Hale - Tortoise Yard
I got my hatchling from Vicki, great looking little guy, ate right out of the box. I really like her website setup, each individual is listed, so you get to sort through and pick. Kinda makes it difficult to order just one!

Redfoottortoisebreeder.com
Don't know the owner's name off the top of my head, but the website will speak volumes to the quality of their breeding stock

Tortoise Ranch
I haven't dealt with them personally, but their website has fantastic looking hatchlings up on a regular basis. Very good prices for hatchlings, if I ever pass near the DFW area I'm swinging by

Underground Reptiles
Again, never bought from them, have heard lots of great comments on quality, and several recommendations. Good prices too

 

[mattgrizzlybear]

i think i can handle a baby i know all its needs but if you have one that could help me out that would help

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a lot of those breeders have beautiful torts. but they are too expensive when you include the shipping but thanks and if you find any more sites let me know

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how much are your regular baby cherry heads and what months are your breeding months because i cant get one until after august 18th will you have any new red foots by then
thanks,Matt

 

[Redstrike]

Here's another with some gorgeous Northerns

http://www.redfootman.net/

 

[tortadise]

welcome! Theres lots of redfoots breeders out their, just do good research first hand.

 

[Redstrike]

thank you but i am looking for a regular red foot tortoise not a cherry head but thank you

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thanks

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thank you that library really will help

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I know you're not looking for cherryheads, but did you see this in the for sale forum!?!

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-2-DAY-SALE-BRAZILIAN-CHERRY-HEADS-99#axzz1zI0JhSLU

JD has some beautiful and very large cherries...

 

[mattgrizzlybear]

i cant get one now i have to get one around late august and early september but nobody has babies around that time of year but i havent explored everything but if u know if any breeder that does and sells them for like 100.00 including shipping because if not i'll buy it from a breeder at a reptile show for 100.00 but will buy from other local breeders around upper ohio or buy online and pay the shipping if its less than 100.00 total

 

[Mgridgaway]

I haven't seen any for $100 shipped. In fact, the average selling price for redfoots online and before shipping is about $100 (give or take, I have seen a bit lower and a bit higher).

You certainly may have better chances at a reptile show though!

For the record, I bought my first redfoot from tortoisesupply.com. They were very helpful, professional, and I had an overall great experience.

 

[mattgrizzlybear]

they do look nice but including shipping they would be too expencive so i think i will get one from the show. I need to know though, if its healthy. they look pretty healthy but can you tell me what are good signs of health and what is unhealthy maybe if you can send pics. thank you

 

[StudentoftheReptile]

My current set-up for lighting is a ceramic heat emitter (CHE) that remains on 24/7 for basking, and a Repti-Glo 5.0 tube florescent fixture for UV that is on for 12 hrs. It seems to work well for my juvenile redfoots.

 

[Cloud 9]

welcome to the tortoise forum community mattgrizzlybear .

 

[mattgrizzlybear]

ya thats a cool setup but the fixture for a tube is pretty expencive and i cant afford all the high end quality things.