Joni Rhoades
New Member
Hello, HELLO!! I have had my red footed tortoise for a year. Long story, short... A friend of mine found her on the highway in a city. She rescued her from traffic. She asked me if I wanted her since she knew I owned a few other turtles. I had no idea what kind of turtle/tortoise she was, all I knew was that she wasn't native to Arkansas. After LOTS and LOTS of research, I found out that she is a red footed tortoise. I researched and studied on how to care for her and what to feed her. I quickly figured out that she LOVES to eat. Her favorites are watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberry, prickly pears, black berries, black berries, and dandelion leaves. She is by far the coolest animal I've ever acquired. People would call me crazy when I said that she loved me and would knows me from other people. She would seek me out if she heard my voice. She wanted to be right next to me. One could mistake her actions as affectionate. (that's what I tell myself too..just let me have this one lol)
I recently moved to Haughton, Louisiana and left her behind with my dad while I got everything settled. I went back to get her on Friday and was immediately concerned with her looks and the way she was acting. Her eyes looked as if they were swollen shut and she was sluggish.
When I got her home, I put her in a warm water soak and offered her favorite foods to her. She drank a little while she was soaking but not much and she refused to eat anything, I feared that she was dehydrated. I have put her in several soaks but her eyes still didn't open. I was worried sick! I searched the posts on this site for 2 days looking for advice, I was doing everything that was already being said to do, except the pureed carrot soak. Everything I found said that it was beneficial to babies but she isn't a baby. She probably weighs about 3.5 pounds. I have no idea how old she is, as I don't know the original owner (I did try to find the original owner when I first got her. However, she is absolutely mine after having her for a year now) Anyways, I decided to become a member of the forum so I could ask specific questions and while I was waiting for approval, I said "what the hell..." and offered her some banana. SHE ATE LIKE A PIG! Peel and all... I was so happy to see her eating! AND her eyes are open a little bit..not much though.
Now, that being said, I have no clue if bananas or banana peels are good for her, as they aren't on any of the lists of "do/don't" lists that I have found. I still have her favorite foods in front of her just in case she decides she wants them. She turns her head towards me when I talk to her now, and she stretches her head wayyyyyyy out so I can rub her chin and neck (she has always liked to have it rubbed). Her eyes are still puffy looking and a little bit watery. They do not look as if they are infected at all.
Has anyone else had similar situations happen with their tortoises? Would a carrot puree soak be beneficial to her since she isn't a 'baby'?
Any help and advice would be great! And just for the record, this site is one of the best that I have found. The members aren't rude or condescending, you guys are helpful and kind!
**The pictures are from the day I got her a year ago. She no longer has the paint on her shell but she is still as beautiful as she was that day**
I recently moved to Haughton, Louisiana and left her behind with my dad while I got everything settled. I went back to get her on Friday and was immediately concerned with her looks and the way she was acting. Her eyes looked as if they were swollen shut and she was sluggish.
When I got her home, I put her in a warm water soak and offered her favorite foods to her. She drank a little while she was soaking but not much and she refused to eat anything, I feared that she was dehydrated. I have put her in several soaks but her eyes still didn't open. I was worried sick! I searched the posts on this site for 2 days looking for advice, I was doing everything that was already being said to do, except the pureed carrot soak. Everything I found said that it was beneficial to babies but she isn't a baby. She probably weighs about 3.5 pounds. I have no idea how old she is, as I don't know the original owner (I did try to find the original owner when I first got her. However, she is absolutely mine after having her for a year now) Anyways, I decided to become a member of the forum so I could ask specific questions and while I was waiting for approval, I said "what the hell..." and offered her some banana. SHE ATE LIKE A PIG! Peel and all... I was so happy to see her eating! AND her eyes are open a little bit..not much though.
Now, that being said, I have no clue if bananas or banana peels are good for her, as they aren't on any of the lists of "do/don't" lists that I have found. I still have her favorite foods in front of her just in case she decides she wants them. She turns her head towards me when I talk to her now, and she stretches her head wayyyyyyy out so I can rub her chin and neck (she has always liked to have it rubbed). Her eyes are still puffy looking and a little bit watery. They do not look as if they are infected at all.
Has anyone else had similar situations happen with their tortoises? Would a carrot puree soak be beneficial to her since she isn't a 'baby'?
Any help and advice would be great! And just for the record, this site is one of the best that I have found. The members aren't rude or condescending, you guys are helpful and kind!
**The pictures are from the day I got her a year ago. She no longer has the paint on her shell but she is still as beautiful as she was that day**