SouthernRFT
Member
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2015
- Messages
- 53
Hello I have purchased my first tortoises. I have 3 CB 2015 redfoots, and after keeping them for a few weeks I decided I wanted a larger specimen. I constructed a 10'x10' enclosure outdoors 16" tall wood walls and one corner is covered for shade. I added 4" of cypress mulch and a glass flat pan for water buried level with the mulch in the shade. I then purchased an 8" female LTC import.
My main questions is there anyway to tame or make her less nervous around me. She tends to freeze when she sees me and I have to sit very still for her to continue grazing. I do not handle or touch her at all. She also is very inactive during the day I am thinking it may be too hot. I am in east central FL. She spends most of her time buried in the mulch under the shaded portion. I catch her out usually before sunset or after a good rain. Should I heavily plant the enclosure to allow more natural shade, or should I put a larger roof over most of the enclosure to increase activity? I find it difficult to feed her since I can't leave food out or it will go bad and protein sources will attract ants if not eaten fairly quickly. Since shes always buried should I remove her and place her in front of the food tray?
Please any advice would be helpful.
My main questions is there anyway to tame or make her less nervous around me. She tends to freeze when she sees me and I have to sit very still for her to continue grazing. I do not handle or touch her at all. She also is very inactive during the day I am thinking it may be too hot. I am in east central FL. She spends most of her time buried in the mulch under the shaded portion. I catch her out usually before sunset or after a good rain. Should I heavily plant the enclosure to allow more natural shade, or should I put a larger roof over most of the enclosure to increase activity? I find it difficult to feed her since I can't leave food out or it will go bad and protein sources will attract ants if not eaten fairly quickly. Since shes always buried should I remove her and place her in front of the food tray?
Please any advice would be helpful.