Wanted to get peoples’ opinion on the shell growth of my ~7 month old Cherryhead, Ahsoka.
It’s been a long time since I have cared for a hatchling, and this is my first Redfoot, so I went hardcore making sure her enclosure and diet were perfectly adapted to her unique needs. I have raised a Sulcata and an Indian Star in the past and a Redfoots needs are very different.
She’s now been with us almost 6 months and is active, healthy, and growing every day but I’ve begun to be a bit concerned about how her shell is developing. It’s almost like inverse pyramiding where the edges areas growing up but the scute is staying lower making a shallow sort of divot.
As I said this is my first Redfoot and it’s been 12+ years since my last hatchling so maybe this is normal and I’m just being over cautious but wanted to get opinions.
Some details:
Substrate is sphagum moss and cypress mulch.
Heating provided by heat pads (24 hours) and lamp (8 hours)
UVB 10 bulb on 12 hours a day.
Humidity up around 80+% with a warm wet hide and drier cooler areas
Fake plants to block most direct light but some open basking areas
Soaked every day before feeding and access to fresh clean water in enclosure
Fed a variety of greens, veggies, fruit, and protein based on the diet plan provided by Vicki at tortoiseyard.com.
Mazuri also provided a few times a week at suggestion of vet.
Calcium powder dusted on all food and cuttle bone available in enclosure.
I’ve also tried to get her outside for real sunshine a few times a week as weather has allowed.
I think that’s everything that might be useful, lol. Let me know what you think! I can try to get more pictures too if needed. Thanks!
It’s been a long time since I have cared for a hatchling, and this is my first Redfoot, so I went hardcore making sure her enclosure and diet were perfectly adapted to her unique needs. I have raised a Sulcata and an Indian Star in the past and a Redfoots needs are very different.
She’s now been with us almost 6 months and is active, healthy, and growing every day but I’ve begun to be a bit concerned about how her shell is developing. It’s almost like inverse pyramiding where the edges areas growing up but the scute is staying lower making a shallow sort of divot.
As I said this is my first Redfoot and it’s been 12+ years since my last hatchling so maybe this is normal and I’m just being over cautious but wanted to get opinions.
Some details:
Substrate is sphagum moss and cypress mulch.
Heating provided by heat pads (24 hours) and lamp (8 hours)
UVB 10 bulb on 12 hours a day.
Humidity up around 80+% with a warm wet hide and drier cooler areas
Fake plants to block most direct light but some open basking areas
Soaked every day before feeding and access to fresh clean water in enclosure
Fed a variety of greens, veggies, fruit, and protein based on the diet plan provided by Vicki at tortoiseyard.com.
Mazuri also provided a few times a week at suggestion of vet.
Calcium powder dusted on all food and cuttle bone available in enclosure.
I’ve also tried to get her outside for real sunshine a few times a week as weather has allowed.
I think that’s everything that might be useful, lol. Let me know what you think! I can try to get more pictures too if needed. Thanks!