Hello!
I have a new baby cherry head red footed tortoise, and I wanted to make sure I am doing what I need to be/asking some advice.
I have posted pictures of little Hermann's enclosure and the cutie. He (it? since I don't actually know the sex) is about 2 in and still has his egg sack scare (which is slowly falling off. Is that normal or should it just fall off all at once?).
His enclosure is 80"x24"x12" so he should be able to grow for awhile. I currently have 2 coconut shell substrates, one that is wood chip-like and one that is similar to dirt. I have 2 water bowls, a couple pieces of live moss and a moss hut (not live). I also have a basking plate and just put in a calcium block.
I spray the cage down with water twice a day to keep the humidity up. Low temps at night get to be about 70 and highs get in the 80s. I believe I need to get the temperature up during the day, and would appreciate advice on how to do that. I have 2 double some light fixtures with uvb lights in each, and I need to replace one of the heat bulbs since it was defective.
The breeder told me to alternate feeding him spring mix veggies with zucchini or squash for 2 days and mazuri tortoise diet pellets 2 days. He also said to avoid feeding him fruit while he is still little. Hermann is being really picky, and I can't figure out how to make him eat the pellets or anything other than ruffly dark greens.
I soak him for 30 minutes a day where he constantly tries to escape the bowl. I also bring him outside (I live in Houston) when I can so he can get direct sunlight.
I have only had him a week and I think he is still nervous about his new home so he is not moving around much (except when soaking) and hides in the dark part of the cage in a corner. I am trying to also limit my handling of him so I don't make things worse.
Sorry for the really long post, but I wanted to try to give all of the information I could.
Is there anything I can do to get him more comfortable and active? Or should I just give him time?
Also, does anyone have any advice on how to get him eating the pellets?
Thank you guys so much!!
I have a new baby cherry head red footed tortoise, and I wanted to make sure I am doing what I need to be/asking some advice.
I have posted pictures of little Hermann's enclosure and the cutie. He (it? since I don't actually know the sex) is about 2 in and still has his egg sack scare (which is slowly falling off. Is that normal or should it just fall off all at once?).
His enclosure is 80"x24"x12" so he should be able to grow for awhile. I currently have 2 coconut shell substrates, one that is wood chip-like and one that is similar to dirt. I have 2 water bowls, a couple pieces of live moss and a moss hut (not live). I also have a basking plate and just put in a calcium block.
I spray the cage down with water twice a day to keep the humidity up. Low temps at night get to be about 70 and highs get in the 80s. I believe I need to get the temperature up during the day, and would appreciate advice on how to do that. I have 2 double some light fixtures with uvb lights in each, and I need to replace one of the heat bulbs since it was defective.
The breeder told me to alternate feeding him spring mix veggies with zucchini or squash for 2 days and mazuri tortoise diet pellets 2 days. He also said to avoid feeding him fruit while he is still little. Hermann is being really picky, and I can't figure out how to make him eat the pellets or anything other than ruffly dark greens.
I soak him for 30 minutes a day where he constantly tries to escape the bowl. I also bring him outside (I live in Houston) when I can so he can get direct sunlight.
I have only had him a week and I think he is still nervous about his new home so he is not moving around much (except when soaking) and hides in the dark part of the cage in a corner. I am trying to also limit my handling of him so I don't make things worse.
Sorry for the really long post, but I wanted to try to give all of the information I could.
Is there anything I can do to get him more comfortable and active? Or should I just give him time?
Also, does anyone have any advice on how to get him eating the pellets?
Thank you guys so much!!