Tater Salad
New Member
Hello,
I am Nathan, I signed up for this forum because I found a tortoise in the wild that I believe has been accurately classified as a redfoot. I am an avid hiker and live on an island in the Caribbean (I won't get more specific) that I have found these tortoises are not native to. I know the fauna well on this island, so I assumed as much when I decided I should take it home assuming it was likely a pet prior to being released into the wild. I have decided I would really like to keep it and care for it, but I am not even close to sure how to go about it. I have a lot of questions...
Current "enclosure"
I currently have the tortoise in a dresser drawer (that isn't in a dresser). I have put a dish large enough for him (I hope it is a him, I named him Manny ) to crawl into if he wants to soak, though he has only done this once in 3 days. The tort's shell is almost 6 inches long and seems to be just a little lumpy, which from what I am reading could mean calcium deficient, but it really isn't bad at all. The dresser drawer is probably 2' X 4'. I have newspaper and some coconut "coir" (stringy stuff from the inside of coconuts?) that I found outside in the bottom for him. Also a few clumps of long grassy weeds that resemble hay in texture and color. He usually just walks to the corner, scrunches the newspaper up, and chills in his shell.
- I can't afford to purchase anything for this tort. If I need something I will need to find or make it. Please keep that in mind as you answer. Also, the island I live on doesn't even have a full grocery store, so I would have a very hard time getting anything at all.
- Do I really need a lamp? I live in the subtropics and have no A/C. it is usually hotter in my living quarters than outside. If it is necessary, is there a creative way to simulate this without buying a lamp?
- Is my current enclosure sufficient in space for now? When will I need to upsize?
- Does my current enclosure need anything else I could find or make?
- We have a tile floor and I just let him roam around , but he usually just hides in a corner or under my wife's feet in his shell. is that normal? he is out of his enclosure probably 3-4 hrs a day
- I can't afford to purchase anything for this tort. If I need something I will need to find or make it. Please keep that in mind as you answer. Also, the island I live on doesn't even have a full grocery store, so I would have a very hard time getting anything at all.
I let Manny walk outside in my backyard (it is pretty much the jungle)for about 30 mins a day and he eats a bunch of little green leaves. I then bring him inside to let him feast on some mango and cabbage (basically would be whatever fruit is in season and occasionally something we can pick up at a market. I let him eat to his hearts content in one sitting and take away leftovers for tomorrow. After that, he walks around a very little bit, goes to a spot next to my wife's feet, then poops. I clean it off the tile floor, soak Manny, stick him in his enclosure , and leave him there for most of the night after.
- Like I said, limited grocery options, but I can forage and look at the markets
- Will my tort live a healthy life on this diet? If not what can I add that I can find or is very cheap and common in the subtropics.
- should I try to get a cockroach every once in a while for protein?
- Can I take my tort to hiking trails with me and let him get back in the wild every so often?
- Will he stop hiding in corners soon and walk around? he doesn't scurry over. he just seems to explore until he finds a nice dark corner, then he cozies up head first and chills there until I move him.
In short I just want to know if what I am doing now is sufficient. if there is anything I am doing that will harm this tort, please let me know.