Red-Footed Youngling, what am I doing wrong?

Shadadowz

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I looked into a lot of different tortoises, I ended up getting a red-foot (Obviously). I read an awful lot of threads on here on how to take care and what the enclosure should be like.

My problem is, he just isn't eating, or at least I cannot tell he is. I've had him for about 3 days, he is probably about just under a year old. Or less. The enclosure is warm, I spray it twice a day, one before and after work. So it stays humid. I have one UHV lightbulb, a plant in the corner for something for him to either eat or hide behind, and 2 little homes for him to hide in as well. The substrate is made of a mix of Cypress mulch, pot soil and black sand. I have the food and eating bowls Level with the substrate. And I've tried just about everything.

I've soaked him in water for about 20 min, he then just crawled out and walked right past his food into a hiding space. I then read somewhere else, that since he is new to his surroundings that I'm not supposed to touch or bother him at all for the first couple of days. So I havent lifted him since yesterday night. I just really don't want him to starve to death.

I try to change his food twice a day and change his water as well, to something warm.

He has drank some water when I would soak him in water a couple of days ago. But he doesn't move around almost at all. I'll leave him in a place and would be in the exact same place 12 hours later. So I'm worried.

Any suggestions?
 

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Toddrickfl1

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They will sulk for awhile when their environment changes and it takes them time to settle in, 3 days is not enough. Also your probably going to have to find a way to cover and seal off your enclosure to get the proper humidity. Just misting with an open top won't work.
 

allegraf

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What is the ambient temp? Where are you located? Babies need more attention to ambient heat and humidity to thrive. Your enclosure seems a bit open to keep the humidity up and the heat in where it’s needed.
 

jsheffield

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I think without a closed/covered system, you're not going to be able to get the heat and humidity that your redfoot needs (consistent 80s in both measures).

Once that's in place, the tortoise may still take some time getting used to you and their new environment. Keep up the soaks, try a variety of foods, and love the tort alone while they adjust to their new life.

Jamie
 

Shadadowz

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I gave him another daily soak and this time I slowly showed him the food in front of him for a minute, letting him see it, then slowly putting it down and trying another food. All while he was still in the soak. I then stopped and watched him, after about 10 min. He started getting out as if he was going to just walk past all the food again, but this time he ate some of the spring mix! He ate half a leaf of spring mix, a very small amount of banana and a bite of raspberry. I also covered the enclosure with serane wrap for right now before I can find something else to cover it with. But I did this moments before soaking him this time, so it probably didn't effect anything.
 
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