Joel - 2013-02-27 I have had my red foot zissou for about a month now. Firstly, he really has only taken to bananas. I'm assuming this was what he was given a majority of the time at the pet store. Is there a good way to transition him? Doesn't seem like he eats at all if there are no bananas. Secondly, he never poops in his water dish. He poops on the ground, and today i caught him eating it. I've read that this can be normal. . . . Is it?
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Jasmine Brough Hinesley - 2013-02-27 I would suggest continuing to offer him a wide variety of foods, with few bananas. I would hope that over time he would warm up to other types of foods as well. I would also keep an eye on his stools - if they are excessively runny then he is probably not getting the proper nutrients. It is normal for tortoises to eat their stool sometimes too. Yours may be getting additional nutrients from it.
ANN - 2011-04-10 How do I know if my red foot is male or female?
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Charlie Roche - 2011-04-12 Animal World does describe how to tell the difference between a male and female in the article on the red footed tortoise. It would be a lot easier if you had one of each and then you could put them side by side. However, without that, then hopefully you will be able to tell from the description in the article. I like photos but......easier to tell. I look up U tube and see if they have some photos with male and female side by side. You are supposed to be able to tell.
Susan B - 2012-05-08 Females have a flat plastron and males have a concave one. Have to wait until they are old enough for it to show. Approx 1 year.
Anonymous - 2012-11-07 Check the tail - if the tail is small but triangular it is a female if its a male the tail will seem ropelike
Kenny - 2011-12-30 I have a redfoot my daughter ordered it's a baby redfoot the first month he was doing great the last few days he has basically not eating and today his legs are not moving very well along with he acts like he is choking when he opens his mouth he is bubbling saliva. I have kept his diet protein, veggies and fruits plenty of water and correct temps. I lost my daughter nov 7. This turtle is very important to our family can anyone please give some advice thankyou
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Anonymous - 2012-01-01 Don't feed it alot of protein! See a vet!
Alex Burleson - 2012-01-01 The best advice I can provide you, is to visit the best veterinarian you can find. Provide them with a list of foods the turtle consumes, the temperature its enclosure remains, and the size of the enclosure. Best of luck!
Trish - 2012-07-02 Get him to a vet immediately! He has a respiratory infection! Mine was blowing a couple of bubbles out of his nose when he was about 4 months old, they had to give him a series of 10 shots. They told me it takes them a long time to get sick, so it takes a long time to heal, but do not take this lightly, otherwise he will unfortunately die. The are highly susceptible to respiratory infections. But please don't wait! It is urgent for you to get him medical attention, they should also test him for any parasites since you ordered him online. Typically mass raised tortoises, can carry parasites. Best of luck to you and God Bless your family in their loss!
Anonymous - 2012-11-07 First she shouldn't eat banana. It is possible that there is a piece of banana stuck in her throat.
Benoit - 2012-08-16 Hi! I live in Brazil and I just got a young Red Footed tortoise who 'invaded' my yard. It's about 3' long. My daughter loved it and we decided to keep it. I'd like to know if we can wash its shell (it is sooooo dirty) and if exist some oil (with vitamin) we could use to let her shiny! I took care of Lizards (Physignatus) Snakes (Boas - constrictor and a couple of Python - Regius) in the past, but I never had to deal with tortoise like this Carbonaria :) I remember that I used to give some D3 vitamin complement to my lizards, it was a kind of oil....
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Charlie Roche - 2012-08-16 You can wash your litle guy very gently with a soft toothbrush and luke warm water. Wash him in a container (just for him) that is cleaned out using only water. Do not bathe him in the tub or the kitchen sink but a container used just for him and cleaned throughly with just water. I could find nothing regarding a recommendation to put anything on his shell. He might be molting or just cleaning a few times might restore appearance but these guys are shiny. So just soft toothbrush in clean container and luke warm water filled about 1 - 2 inches in container.
Isabel Cerni - 2011-12-07 I have a baby Red-Footed turtle which is about 2 wks old. It is having a problem at the moment. When I checked on it two hours ago it was in some distress. It would raise its head high and then lower it all the way down as if it's going to die. It is not moving otherwise. Normally it would have been walking around. She had bananas this morning and it's possible she is constipated as someone else suggested on this site. What can I do to help her?
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Charlie Roche - 2011-12-07 I don't know what could be the problem but if you think it is constipation give him some baby fruit or just fruit.
pete winders - 2012-01-13 In the wild, the tortoise will eat a variety of food, and will grow to be the weight of a small dog. They can eat a lot. But I think variety is the key. Our tortoises liked dry dog food (soaked so it is soft) for protein and minerals, all sorts of fruit and vegetables. Lettuce does not have much nutrition but has fiber. Some large tortoises should get very little protein, and would do better with hay. find a reptile vet.
sheena - 2012-06-06 Bananas should only be given once to twice a month that will cause them to not be able to go and when feeding them bananas keep the peel on! I would try the timothy hay or romaine lettuce. Iceberg isn't that great! Mine love the kale and cherry tomatoes!
Susan B - 2012-05-08 I have a new red foot (about 6 days) he's a yearling. He hides in his log all the time unless I pull him out for his soak. That wakes him up and he will wander around the house a little and eats only a tiny amount (one small piece of greens or a 1/4 a strawberry or a 1/2 grape tomato). He has eaten only very small amounts. As soon as he is back in his enclosure, he returns to the log. How long will this behavior last? He is in a 4 x 2 small animal pen. Wire top. I have a basking area at 90* and a cool end about 70*. A UVB light, water pond and humidity about 60%. Is it conditions or bashfulness? Help or advice from those more experienced appreciated!
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Clarice Brough - 2012-05-08 Yeah, I'd be worried about his not eating. Try some different greenstuffs to see if you can find something that attracts him. Check with the previous owner about his diet, maybe he has a favorite food. If all else fails, get him a checkup with a veterinarian to make sure he doesn't have internal parasites or other illness. A vet will want a stool sample. He needs to be eating more...
Susan B - 2012-05-09 He came from a Petsmart. They had him on freeze-dried pellets. I want him to eat fresh foods. I turned off his UVB yesterday for awhile and he wandered around his pen for a longer period. Last night, he burrowed in next to his log instead of under it. I read on this site that many ppl have experience with their red foots when they are rehomed, but they do come around. I will keep my eye on him...
sheena - 2012-06-06 I've also read that when transfered to a new home the may fast and can go long periods of time without food or water. I just got one myself she is so funny. She has no fear and loves to run outside in the grass! Petco and petsmart really couldnt give me much info on the breed! lol Great help they where. Give him or her some time. Mine love cherry tomatoes those r her favorite!
haileah - 2012-03-15 I just got a redfooted tortoise the other day and she's still just a baby. But I've noticed she sleeps a lot. Sometimes more than 12 hours. Why? Is it bad that she sleeps so much? Her tank isn't really big right now (I think it's a 20 gallon) but I do plan on getting her a bigger one soon. What all should I have in it? And whats the best kind of flooring she should have?
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Jeremy Roche - 2012-03-16 Cypress bark is a great substrate. Do you have the heat and humidity high enough. These are tropical tortoises. Some times a mister is needed to increase humidity. They really need 80-90 degrees with a basking area of around 95. If it is cooler it will slow them down.
Heather - 2011-08-02 We just got our red footed tortoise aka Rocky, and I noticed everyone talks about feeding it fresh veggies, fruits and protein, but what about the tortoise food that comes in little pellets? Our tortoise seems to really like to eat them and now he is going the bathroom regularly and seems more active. Before I started the pellets he didn't eat much or go the bathroom much. So is it ok that he is eating tortoise food pellets everyday?
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Charlie Roche - 2011-08-02 Pellets plus the fruits and vegetables and the protein you are doing works good. You are feeding as he would select from a menu. Good for you.
villy - 2011-08-25 Pellets can not be 100% of the tortoises diet. Anything I've ever heard specifically state that it shouldn't be more than 50%. They NEED their fruits and veggies (though mostly veggies). However, there is absolutely nothing wrong with pellets as part of a balanced, varied diet, and my little redfoot LOVES his pellets. He'll gobble up most of his fresh stuff as soon as it is given, then pick at his pellets the rest of the day.
Lance - 2011-10-15 You would be surprised what these hearty eaters will take down if it's put in front of them, occasionally I'll put a new piece of coral or something like that to decorate the habitat and they will begin nibbling on the rocks. They taste first and decide whether or not they like it later on.
I had the same problem where mine don't really like their greens too much so I actually supplement their diet with the pellets you speak of but more often I actually use crushed up freeze dried chicken mixed with some very high end dog food that's made of 75% veggies and 25% meats but I still try to feed them vegetable medleys whenever I can get them to eat it but they go absolutely nuts for the mixture I described above and it makes them grow like crazy too. Since I started them on this diet it's made my dog angry but they absolutely love it, both of them dive head first into the dish and don't leave until the whole thing is gone.
This may not be considered good, I really don't know but mine are very happy and healthy so I'm sticking with it partly because it takes about a week for the food to go bad so I can leave it in there and not worry about them if I have to go anywhere for a few days.
Good luck and have fun with your Redfoot, they are pretty darn cool. I even have several other toads, water frogs and reptiles in a very large enclosure with them and the tortoises actually let them all ride them around the tank and they never snap at anything living even when the dog harasses them. Great little pets and easy to care for.
Animal lover - 2011-07-21 I am getting a red footed tortoise and by the way Everybody describes them I am glad I am getting one. She is sick so she has to stay at the vets for awhile. :(
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Charlie Roche - 2011-07-23 Congratulations and let us know about her. I am sorry she is ill but glad you are getting her. Is it a her????
Katie Whittington - 2010-08-27 I've recently acquired a redfoot.. and many websites say to feed him different things. any suggestions as some say meat - some say greens - some say banana etc, and some say these are bad for him?
x
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Editor's Note - 2010-08-27 Red footed tortoises are omnivorous and should be fed salads like every other day and meat once or twice a week. Guidelines are given here Red-footed Tortoise As far as bananas and other exotic foods; I don't know what the answer is, if you just stick with what is known to be good for them you'll have a healthy pet!
Kellee - 2010-12-30 I have had a redfoot for 28 years. He is about 16 inches in the shell - head to tail. Redfoots need 80 % greens - they love dandelion greens, most hate spinach and love collard greens - dark greens are best like herb mix you get in the organic section of your local grocerer. If you pick dandelions out of your yard - make sure no chemicals have been used. 10 percent veggies - carrots- cut up small, potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, squash, tomatoes, and mushrooms - mine loves mushrooms. and 10 percent fruit - red fruit is the best - strawberries, raspberries, black berries, apples (again cut small) watermelon, other melon. Bananas are good - but fattening - save for a once in awhile treat. NO onion, peppers, cucumbers, celery - to gassy and hard to digest. Give your redfoot some carion - catfood or dog food or better yet - tortiose food from the local reputable pet store. Lastly, my tortoise love Nasturiums flowers or Hibiscus flowers in the summer.
amanda - 2011-01-01 Minimal banana and spinach, it causes constipation. As far as meat goes, I feed mine meal worms just about twice a month and they come in a can at the pet store and keep them in the fridge. Just sprinkle a few on his food. But grapes, carrots, kale, dandilion, a little avacado, apples, kiwi, I also feed mixed mescilan greens. Really anything in small amounts and observe how he reacts to it, such as if it blocks it up or gives the runs. I hope that helps.
Jim Moss - 2011-06-22 A red-foot needs lots of greens but can have up to 20% of his diet in friuts. No spinach but collards, beet tops are great. 5% of the diet needs to be protein. Dried cat or dog food soaked before feeding.
A medium-sized tortoise, the popular Red-footed Tortoise is considered to be one of the most responsive and personable of the tortoises!
I have had my red foot zissou for about a month now. Firstly, he really has only taken to bananas. I'm assuming this was what he was given a majority of the time at the pet store. Is there a good way to transition him? Doesn't seem like he eats at all if there are no bananas. Secondly, he never poops in his water dish. He poops on the ground, and today i caught him eating it. I've read that this can be normal. . . . Is it?
I would suggest continuing to offer him a wide variety of foods, with few bananas. I would hope that over time he would warm up to other types of foods as well. I would also keep an eye on his stools - if they are excessively runny then he is probably not getting the proper nutrients. It is normal for tortoises to eat their stool sometimes too. Yours may be getting additional nutrients from it.
How do I know if my red foot is male or female?
Animal World does describe how to tell the difference between a male and female in the article on the red footed tortoise. It would be a lot easier if you had one of each and then you could put them side by side. However, without that, then hopefully you will be able to tell from the description in the article. I like photos but......easier to tell. I look up U tube and see if they have some photos with male and female side by side. You are supposed to be able to tell.
Females have a flat plastron and males have a concave one. Have to wait until they are old enough for it to show. Approx 1 year.
Check the tail - if the tail is small but triangular it is a female if its a male the tail will seem ropelike
I have a redfoot my daughter ordered it's a baby redfoot the first month he was doing great the last few days he has basically not eating and today his legs are not moving very well along with he acts like he is choking when he opens his mouth he is bubbling saliva. I have kept his diet protein, veggies and fruits plenty of water and correct temps. I lost my daughter nov 7. This turtle is very important to our family can anyone please give some advice thankyou
Don't feed it alot of protein! See a vet!
The best advice I can provide you, is to visit the best veterinarian you can find. Provide them with a list of foods the turtle consumes, the temperature its enclosure remains, and the size of the enclosure. Best of luck!
Get him to a vet immediately! He has a respiratory infection! Mine was blowing a couple of bubbles out of his nose when he was about 4 months old, they had to give him a series of 10 shots. They told me it takes them a long time to get sick, so it takes a long time to heal, but do not take this lightly, otherwise he will unfortunately die. The are highly susceptible to respiratory infections. But please don't wait! It is urgent for you to get him medical attention, they should also test him for any parasites since you ordered him online. Typically mass raised tortoises, can carry parasites. Best of luck to you and God Bless your family in their loss!
First she shouldn't eat banana. It is possible that there is a piece of banana stuck in her throat.
Hi! I live in Brazil and I just got a young Red Footed tortoise who 'invaded' my yard. It's about 3' long. My daughter loved it and we decided to keep it. I'd like to know if we can wash its shell (it is sooooo dirty) and if exist some oil (with vitamin) we could use to let her shiny! I took care of Lizards (Physignatus) Snakes (Boas - constrictor and a couple of Python - Regius) in the past, but I never had to deal with tortoise like this Carbonaria :) I remember that I used to give some D3 vitamin complement to my lizards, it was a kind of oil....
You can wash your litle guy very gently with a soft toothbrush and luke warm water. Wash him in a container (just for him) that is cleaned out using only water. Do not bathe him in the tub or the kitchen sink but a container used just for him and cleaned throughly with just water. I could find nothing regarding a recommendation to put anything on his shell. He might be molting or just cleaning a few times might restore appearance but these guys are shiny. So just soft toothbrush in clean container and luke warm water filled about 1 - 2 inches in container.
I have a baby Red-Footed turtle which is about 2 wks old. It is having a problem at the moment. When I checked on it two hours ago it was in some distress. It would raise its head high and then lower it all the way down as if it's going to die. It is not moving otherwise. Normally it would have been walking around. She had bananas this morning and it's possible she is constipated as someone else suggested on this site. What can I do to help her?
I don't know what could be the problem but if you think it is constipation give him some baby fruit or just fruit.
In the wild, the tortoise will eat a variety of food, and will grow to be the weight of a small dog. They can eat a lot. But I think variety is the key. Our tortoises liked dry dog food (soaked so it is soft) for protein and minerals, all sorts of fruit and vegetables. Lettuce does not have much nutrition but has fiber. Some large tortoises should get very little protein, and would do better with hay. find a reptile vet.
Bananas should only be given once to twice a month that will cause them to not be able to go and when feeding them bananas keep the peel on! I would try the timothy hay or romaine lettuce. Iceberg isn't that great! Mine love the kale and cherry tomatoes!
I have a new red foot (about 6 days) he's a yearling. He hides in his log all the time unless I pull him out for his soak. That wakes him up and he will wander around the house a little and eats only a tiny amount (one small piece of greens or a 1/4 a strawberry or a 1/2 grape tomato). He has eaten only very small amounts. As soon as he is back in his enclosure, he returns to the log. How long will this behavior last? He is in a 4 x 2 small animal pen. Wire top. I have a basking area at 90* and a cool end about 70*. A UVB light, water pond and humidity about 60%. Is it conditions or bashfulness? Help or advice from those more experienced appreciated!
Yeah, I'd be worried about his not eating. Try some different greenstuffs to see if you can find something that attracts him. Check with the previous owner about his diet, maybe he has a favorite food. If all else fails, get him a checkup with a veterinarian to make sure he doesn't have internal parasites or other illness. A vet will want a stool sample. He needs to be eating more...
He came from a Petsmart. They had him on freeze-dried pellets. I want him to eat fresh foods. I turned off his UVB yesterday for awhile and he wandered around his pen for a longer period. Last night, he burrowed in next to his log instead of under it. I read on this site that many ppl have experience with their red foots when they are rehomed, but they do come around. I will keep my eye on him...
I've also read that when transfered to a new home the may fast and can go long periods of time without food or water. I just got one myself she is so funny. She has no fear and loves to run outside in the grass! Petco and petsmart really couldnt give me much info on the breed! lol Great help they where. Give him or her some time. Mine love cherry tomatoes those r her favorite!
I just got a redfooted tortoise the other day and she's still just a baby. But I've noticed she sleeps a lot. Sometimes more than 12 hours. Why? Is it bad that she sleeps so much? Her tank isn't really big right now (I think it's a 20 gallon) but I do plan on getting her a bigger one soon. What all should I have in it? And whats the best kind of flooring she should have?
Cypress bark is a great substrate. Do you have the heat and humidity high enough. These are tropical tortoises. Some times a mister is needed to increase humidity. They really need 80-90 degrees with a basking area of around 95. If it is cooler it will slow them down.
We just got our red footed tortoise aka Rocky, and I noticed everyone talks about feeding it fresh veggies, fruits and protein, but what about the tortoise food that comes in little pellets? Our tortoise seems to really like to eat them and now he is going the bathroom regularly and seems more active. Before I started the pellets he didn't eat much or go the bathroom much. So is it ok that he is eating tortoise food pellets everyday?
Pellets plus the fruits and vegetables and the protein you are doing works good. You are feeding as he would select from a menu. Good for you.
Pellets can not be 100% of the tortoises diet. Anything I've ever heard specifically state that it shouldn't be more than 50%. They NEED their fruits and veggies (though mostly veggies). However, there is absolutely nothing wrong with pellets as part of a balanced, varied diet, and my little redfoot LOVES his pellets. He'll gobble up most of his fresh stuff as soon as it is given, then pick at his pellets the rest of the day.
You would be surprised what these hearty eaters will take down if it's put in front of them, occasionally I'll put a new piece of coral or something like that to decorate the habitat and they will begin nibbling on the rocks. They taste first and decide whether or not they like it later on.
I had the same problem where mine don't really like their greens too much so I actually supplement their diet with the pellets you speak of but more often I actually use crushed up freeze dried chicken mixed with some very high end dog food that's made of 75% veggies and 25% meats but I still try to feed them vegetable medleys whenever I can get them to eat it but they go absolutely nuts for the mixture I described above and it makes them grow like crazy too. Since I started them on this diet it's made my dog angry but they absolutely love it, both of them dive head first into the dish and don't leave until the whole thing is gone.
This may not be considered good, I really don't know but mine are very happy and healthy so I'm sticking with it partly because it takes about a week for the food to go bad so I can leave it in there and not worry about them if I have to go anywhere for a few days.
Good luck and have fun with your Redfoot, they are pretty darn cool. I even have several other toads, water frogs and reptiles in a very large enclosure with them and the tortoises actually let them all ride them around the tank and they never snap at anything living even when the dog harasses them. Great little pets and easy to care for.
I am getting a red footed tortoise and by the way Everybody describes them I am glad I am getting one. She is sick so she has to stay at the vets for awhile. :(
Congratulations and let us know about her. I am sorry she is ill but glad you are getting her. Is it a her????
I've recently acquired a redfoot.. and many websites say to feed him different things. any suggestions as some say meat - some say greens - some say banana etc, and some say these are bad for him?
x
Red footed tortoises are omnivorous and should be fed salads like every other day and meat once or twice a week. Guidelines are given here Red-footed Tortoise As far as bananas and other exotic foods; I don't know what the answer is, if you just stick with what is known to be good for them you'll have a healthy pet!
I have had a redfoot for 28 years. He is about 16 inches in the shell - head to tail. Redfoots need 80 % greens - they love dandelion greens, most hate spinach and love collard greens - dark greens are best like herb mix you get in the organic section of your local grocerer. If you pick dandelions out of your yard - make sure no chemicals have been used. 10 percent veggies - carrots- cut up small, potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, squash, tomatoes, and mushrooms - mine loves mushrooms. and 10 percent fruit - red fruit is the best - strawberries, raspberries, black berries, apples (again cut small) watermelon, other melon. Bananas are good - but fattening - save for a once in awhile treat. NO onion, peppers, cucumbers, celery - to gassy and hard to digest. Give your redfoot some carion - catfood or dog food or better yet - tortiose food from the local reputable pet store. Lastly, my tortoise love Nasturiums flowers or Hibiscus flowers in the summer.
Minimal banana and spinach, it causes constipation. As far as meat goes, I feed mine meal worms just about twice a month and they come in a can at the pet store and keep them in the fridge. Just sprinkle a few on his food. But grapes, carrots, kale, dandilion, a little avacado, apples, kiwi, I also feed mixed mescilan greens. Really anything in small amounts and observe how he reacts to it, such as if it blocks it up or gives the runs. I hope that helps.
A red-foot needs lots of greens but can have up to 20% of his diet in friuts. No spinach but collards, beet tops are great. 5% of the diet needs to be protein. Dried cat or dog food soaked before feeding.