Redfoot care

Redfoot requirements

Redfoots are a fairly simple to keep.I won't go into every detail here,but
refer you to http://www.turtletary.com/redfootcare.htm instead.He has a detailed care sheet that,if followed,works like a charm.I'll give a few parameters for care.Redfoots love humidity.Mid 80's are just right for temperature.85% humidity isn't too much for them-they love it.With a spray bottle,mist their carapaces with water,until they drip,several times a day.This will help prevent pyramiding in younger torts and help keep older ones' shells in good condition.In the indoor enclosure,I use a flower watering can.I sprinkle them and the cypress substrate at the same time.Keep it simple.

This is a simple hatchling enclosure that uses a ceramic heating element and dimmer switch.Easy to build and works great.Building instructions can be found at turtletary.com

Diet

Redfoots are one of the only tortoises that can eat fruit in signifigant quantities.I alternate fruit and greens daily.Fruits can include opuntia cactus fruits,papaya,mango,plums,figs,strawberries,cantaloupe and honeydew.Greens can include opuntia cactus pads,collard,mustard,and turnip,dandelion,plantain,and many others.I use a calcium substitute after the age of 6 months.

One end of the indoor facilities.Hide boxes on the left,nest box on the right.Nothing fancy,very funtional.

My indoor facilities

My indoor facility is 12'x20',insulated and climate controlled.This is where the breeders go once temperatures start dipping below 60 degrees at night.Heating is accomplished with an oil filled radiator,digital thermostat controlled.Two warm air vaporizors running 24-7 keep the humidity around 80%.The floor is covered with PVC vinyl flooring.About 5" of cypress mulch sits atop the vinyl.Some wooden hide boxes and a nest box are also in the room.My redfoots are happy and healthy in here during the cold months.They laid eggs all through the winter,the last clutch coming on 3/22/11 !

The outdoor enclosure,immediatly after construction.Very simple and functional.

Outdoor facilities

My outdoor enclosure measures 24'x32'.It was built using pre-made wooden fence panels,with a 12" cypress board around the bottom for a sight barrier.For graze,I plant a mixture of turnip,mustard,and collard greens.There are also rose of Sharon hybiscus,figs,and grape vines.Grape leaves are an excellent tortoise food.In one corner,I have a huge mulch pile,which redfoots love.They bulldoze their way in and make a cavernous hollow inside.They will spend the majority of a hot day in there,coming out in the evening to eat,roam,stand under the sprinklers,and mate.After an hour or two of this,it's back to the mulch pile.I have wooden house type hides,but they prefer the mulch pile.

And after greens and hybiscus were growing.

There isn't any need to overcomplicate things when keeping redfoots.Remember,they are cold blooded reptiles and have inhabited the Earth for much longer than humans.As long as requirements for humidity,temperature,and a proper diet are met,they will thrive.I try to provide as many native foods as possible.Papaya,mango,and opuntia are all favorites.I don't feed any of the pellet type foods on the market,so I can't comment on them.Fresh,clean water should be available at all times.