FenderStrat73
New Member
Hello all! I recently inherited a lovely red-footed tortoise named Sonny after a friend of mine passed away. His wife had no idea how to take care of it, so I've had to do lots of research. There is a lot of conflicting information out there. I worry that I'm not caring for it correctly. I have so many questions.
Here's the equipment I've got and what I've been doing to care for Sonny based on what I've read (or misread?). Most of what I have came with the tortoise, some I've added myself. Please let me know anything I'm doing wrong or could be doing better.
Housing:
I have a terrarium (18" x 48" x 20" tall) The tortoise's shell is 6" x 10". I realize he will probably need a bigger space. Thinking about some kind of coffee table terrarium. For lighting, I have an all in 1 lamp. Heat light on one side, UVB light on the other end, and a long fluorescent bulb (unsure if it's needed) that runs the length of the lamp. It sits on top of the screen lid. I turn them all on when I wake up, and turn them all off 12 hours later at night. I don't have any timers. There is also a heating pad attached to the bottom. The substrate is some kind of mulch, I'm guessing cypress mulch. I added sphagnum moss around the water bowl, but Sonny kept trying to eat it... and it stank. So I removed the moss. For humidity, I spray warm water all over the terrarium in the morning and again when I get home after work. The humidity is ok but I think it should be better. I'm thinking about making the terrarium closed chamber by covering the lid with aluminum foil around the lights. Is that ok for getting oxygen in the terrarium? Or should I get a Repti Fogger? I live in Brooklyn NY. Even if the climate here was ok, there's no outdoor space. He has a Hubba Hut for a hiding place. Seems to like it.
Water/Soaking:
The tortoise came with a pet store water bowl that was too small for him. So I got a 14" planter saucer recently. I was taking him out and letting him soak in a large tub with warm water every other day before I got the saucer. Now that he can fit fully in his water bowl, do I still have to take him out and soak him?
Food:
My understanding is they need lots of leafy greens, some fruit and veggies, and very little meat. So far I've been feeding Sonny kale, spring mix, collard greens, spinach, broccoli, carrots (didn't like them), blackberries, raspberries, banana, cantaloupe, strawberries, and cat food. Daily I give him 2/3 greens and 1/3 fruit. Cat food once a month, but I'm not sure how much. Is it true that kale and spinach are bad for them? Is it easier/better to just feed him Mazuri Tortoise Diet? I'm also not sure how often to feed. So much conflicting information. I started feeding him as much as he could eat for 30 minutes. I tried skipping days as I had read. But now I just feed him whenever he looks like he wants food. One bigger meal in the morning. When I get home from work I remove any uneaten food and give him a smaller meal (he eats less in the evening). I tried using food bowls, but he doesn't like them. He prefers when I dump the food in there so he can "forage". I don't think he's eating substrate as a result.
I'm attaching photos to illustrate some of the above. Sorry for the long post. I'm questioning a lot. I hope you tortoise experts can help me out.
Here's the equipment I've got and what I've been doing to care for Sonny based on what I've read (or misread?). Most of what I have came with the tortoise, some I've added myself. Please let me know anything I'm doing wrong or could be doing better.
Housing:
I have a terrarium (18" x 48" x 20" tall) The tortoise's shell is 6" x 10". I realize he will probably need a bigger space. Thinking about some kind of coffee table terrarium. For lighting, I have an all in 1 lamp. Heat light on one side, UVB light on the other end, and a long fluorescent bulb (unsure if it's needed) that runs the length of the lamp. It sits on top of the screen lid. I turn them all on when I wake up, and turn them all off 12 hours later at night. I don't have any timers. There is also a heating pad attached to the bottom. The substrate is some kind of mulch, I'm guessing cypress mulch. I added sphagnum moss around the water bowl, but Sonny kept trying to eat it... and it stank. So I removed the moss. For humidity, I spray warm water all over the terrarium in the morning and again when I get home after work. The humidity is ok but I think it should be better. I'm thinking about making the terrarium closed chamber by covering the lid with aluminum foil around the lights. Is that ok for getting oxygen in the terrarium? Or should I get a Repti Fogger? I live in Brooklyn NY. Even if the climate here was ok, there's no outdoor space. He has a Hubba Hut for a hiding place. Seems to like it.
Water/Soaking:
The tortoise came with a pet store water bowl that was too small for him. So I got a 14" planter saucer recently. I was taking him out and letting him soak in a large tub with warm water every other day before I got the saucer. Now that he can fit fully in his water bowl, do I still have to take him out and soak him?
Food:
My understanding is they need lots of leafy greens, some fruit and veggies, and very little meat. So far I've been feeding Sonny kale, spring mix, collard greens, spinach, broccoli, carrots (didn't like them), blackberries, raspberries, banana, cantaloupe, strawberries, and cat food. Daily I give him 2/3 greens and 1/3 fruit. Cat food once a month, but I'm not sure how much. Is it true that kale and spinach are bad for them? Is it easier/better to just feed him Mazuri Tortoise Diet? I'm also not sure how often to feed. So much conflicting information. I started feeding him as much as he could eat for 30 minutes. I tried skipping days as I had read. But now I just feed him whenever he looks like he wants food. One bigger meal in the morning. When I get home from work I remove any uneaten food and give him a smaller meal (he eats less in the evening). I tried using food bowls, but he doesn't like them. He prefers when I dump the food in there so he can "forage". I don't think he's eating substrate as a result.
I'm attaching photos to illustrate some of the above. Sorry for the long post. I'm questioning a lot. I hope you tortoise experts can help me out.