Dawn Ballard - 2011-03-24 I am a new Kindergarten teacher. My husband bought our class a Red-footed Tortoise, I am going to let the children vote for a name but I hope they vote for Oogway. (that is the name of the tortoise master on "Kung Fu Panda") There are a few black spots and a few scratching spots on the bottom of his shell. Is this normal?
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Clarice Brough - 2011-03-25 That's so cool that you got a Red-footed tortoise for you class, I bet they will have a great experience! I don't think the spots and scratches should be a problem, as long as it is eating and acting normally it's probably okay.
Allie - 2010-10-15 We just got a baby red footed tortoise. She's approx. 6 months old. My son is thrilled and we look forward to having him as part of the family for years to come. My husband is a little freaked out. He wants to know if these pets carry any "diseases" we have to worry about, or if having the tank in my son's bedroom is unhealthy in any way. He's killing the fun! (but I want to make sure I haven't overlooked anything).....Any advice?
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John - 2011-03-17 Just make sure that his area is cleaned once a week. If mine gets into stuff he shouldn't, I immediately bathe him. When I first got mine, I used gloves because of the possiblility of salmonella. I had no idea how it was being taken care of, but now that I know that he is clean and I keep his water fresh daily and that his area is cleaned weekly, I handle him more. I just make sure to wash my hands right afterwards. Salmonella is your only worry, so make sure that everyone washes their hands always after handling, you can never be too careful.
carina - 2011-03-02 I had just got a red foot. I got him off my friend who told me to give him 2 cherry tomatoes every other day. That too many are bad for him, and I shouldn't give him anything else besides the tortoise food. And the big container of water was just there because that's what he poops in. But I have found that he likes to kinda sit in the water, and dunks his head. So I try to keep it warm for him and clean. I also had to give him a little bath when I got him because he had what looked like brown scum on his shell. My kids love to watch him eat. He does great with the tomatoes! But, I want to give him more, he is 5 yrs old and hasn't grown any for the past 3 yrs, so I want to know what I can give him, how much, how often and hopefully he will start to grow again and become more healthy. He is very active but I have noticed that he will go into his shell for a few hrs at a time. I'm guessing he is sleeping, but how long should he be doing that? I am so very new at this whole tortoise thing, I need all the help I can get, from caring, bathing, caging, handling, and feeding. Please help answer some of my questions so I can better help my red-foot, and take care of him properly. Thank you very much!
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John - 2011-03-17 Well what I have found out that dandelion greens are good for the red foot, I give mine a variety of different greens, dandelion, mustard greens, turnip green, I also give him cucumber, and zucchini. I give him protien every two months, I give him a small amount of a boiled egg. I also give mine a little of the banana, strawberries and mango. They love their fruit so make sure they have their greens that day first. Their diet is about 85% greens 10% fruit and 5% protein. I just make sure he has as much food as he can eat for that day. You will eventually know how much to give to him. Just make sure you remove the old and replace with fresh food every day.Mine has grown so much. I know when I first got him he was sick with diarrea for a couple of days and would not eat. He was used to the pellets they feed him at the pet store and also needed a good wash to get rid of the fungus that was growing on his shell. I constantly give him fresh warm water to soak in and drink and I keep him clean, I also clean his area once a week. His happy and seems very healthy. I hope this will helps.
Brian - 2010-10-16 Well hi I just got my red-footed tortoise yesterday from petsmart and today his a.k.a Little-Foot eye's are running not that much like a teardrop and he has diarrhea since when I got him.
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sp - 2010-11-14 What petsmart did you get yourz from?
Oscar R. - 2011-01-20 I have one and his eye is a little drippy too but not diarrhea just to be on the safe side you should get him checked out but drippy eyes I think is natural but awkward.
John - 2011-03-16 Don't worry he should be ok after a couple of days, roughly 3 days. When I first got mine he did the same thing. I called the pet store and talked to the vet. I believe it's the diet that they have them on. I gave my red foot greens until well and then I gave him some fruits, and a little protein (boiled egg) not the whole egg. If he is not better after a couple of days call the pet store. I hope that helps.
tracey - 2011-03-09 My tortoise's nails are bent the wrong way. I'm wondering if they're growing like that or he's doing something to make them bend. Is that normal?
I got a Red Footed Tortoise his name is shelldone. I love him so much. I taught him how to wave. I am 8 years old. I try to take him out of his cage to give him exercise and attention every day. Sometimes I get busy but I know he's always there.
Sofie - 2010-09-16 I have a red foot tortoise, his name is Franklin. I just brought him home. My dad helped me set up his tank. So far he is shy. We love him and I hope he loves us.
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lisa - 2011-02-12 He just needs to adjust to the environment. Be sure to have the correct temp & humidity. Also, he may not eat right away till he is comfortable. Don't worry, be patient because he is full of love & totally worth the wait! I have a red foot named morton that I got at a reptile show 6yrs. ago & he is by far the best pet I have ever had! Red foots are the most intelligent of their species & can be trained. They are very curious & have amazing personalities! P.S..they love their heads rubbed hard & will push against you.
Shellyskaren - 2010-05-31 I have a redfoot named Shelly. She's smart and active; she has a good appetite, and I adore her. She's 2yrs old and getting large (she gets into the dogs food more than she should). The problem is, she has several white areas on her shell. It does not look like a fungus. It looks like she has no pigmentation-like vitiligo! What could this be? Has anyone else seen this?
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Stephanie, from CA - 2010-08-24 Dog food is bad, bad, bad and cause pyramiding. IF you must give a dry protein source a HIGH QUALITY CAT FOOD THAT IS LOW FAT and has no or little corn is best. Boiled eggs, raw chicken, raw shrimp and many kinds of worms ( mill worms are easy and cheap to get) are more ideal. They are prone to so many metabolic diseases when they eat dog or cat food as it has grains that are not good for them and too much fat. But cat high quality low fat cat food is the lesser of two evils and even that should be limited to 1x a week. Hope that helps.
Oscar R. - 2011-01-20 It might have a rotten shell which is bad you should get it checked out.
xxxx - 2010-09-21 I have a Red-Foot I let him run around the apartment & on the patio. My dog likes to follow it and he'll every once in awhile turn him over. The Red Foot is great pet.
Anonymous - 2010-07-12 I have a red foot tortoise as well her name is yurtle the turtle it was yortoise the tortoise but we found out she is a female she is great the best part is I have a big dog about 80 pounds and they are like best friends I've had her about 5 years now.
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Tony - 2010-09-01 You should never let your dog near a tortoise (or any reptile in general). Regardless of what happened in the past, your dog's instincts will eventually tell it that your tortoise is a walking bone worth investigating. People often say: "Well, I've had my tortoise and dog for many years and they never attack each other," and they continue to allow the two animals to come intact with each other. This happens all too often. Unfortunately, the end result will often be a severely injured tortoise (or in some cases, a dead tortoise) in need of immediate medical attention. Don't mix your animals.
A medium-sized tortoise, the popular Red-footed Tortoise is considered to be one of the most responsive and personable of the tortoises!
I am a new Kindergarten teacher. My husband bought our class a Red-footed Tortoise, I am going to let the children vote for a name but I hope they vote for Oogway. (that is the name of the tortoise master on "Kung Fu Panda") There are a few black spots and a few scratching spots on the bottom of his shell. Is this normal?
That's so cool that you got a Red-footed tortoise for you class, I bet they will have a great experience! I don't think the spots and scratches should be a problem, as long as it is eating and acting normally it's probably okay.
We just got a baby red footed tortoise. She's approx. 6 months old. My son is thrilled and we look forward to having him as part of the family for years to come. My husband is a little freaked out. He wants to know if these pets carry any "diseases" we have to worry about, or if having the tank in my son's bedroom is unhealthy in any way. He's killing the fun! (but I want to make sure I haven't overlooked anything).....Any advice?
Just make sure that his area is cleaned once a week. If mine gets into stuff he shouldn't, I immediately bathe him. When I first got mine, I used gloves because of the possiblility of salmonella. I had no idea how it was being taken care of, but now that I know that he is clean and I keep his water fresh daily and that his area is cleaned weekly, I handle him more. I just make sure to wash my hands right afterwards. Salmonella is your only worry, so make sure that everyone washes their hands always after handling, you can never be too careful.
I had just got a red foot. I got him off my friend who told me to give him 2 cherry tomatoes every other day. That too many are bad for him, and I shouldn't give him anything else besides the tortoise food. And the big container of water was just there because that's what he poops in. But I have found that he likes to kinda sit in the water, and dunks his head. So I try to keep it warm for him and clean. I also had to give him a little bath when I got him because he had what looked like brown scum on his shell. My kids love to watch him eat. He does great with the tomatoes! But, I want to give him more, he is 5 yrs old and hasn't grown any for the past 3 yrs, so I want to know what I can give him, how much, how often and hopefully he will start to grow again and become more healthy. He is very active but I have noticed that he will go into his shell for a few hrs at a time. I'm guessing he is sleeping, but how long should he be doing that? I am so very new at this whole tortoise thing, I need all the help I can get, from caring, bathing, caging, handling, and feeding. Please help answer some of my questions so I can better help my red-foot, and take care of him properly. Thank you very much!
Well what I have found out that dandelion greens are good for the red foot, I give mine a variety of different greens, dandelion, mustard greens, turnip green, I also give him cucumber, and zucchini. I give him protien every two months, I give him a small amount of a boiled egg. I also give mine a little of the banana, strawberries and mango. They love their fruit so make sure they have their greens that day first. Their diet is about 85% greens 10% fruit and 5% protein. I just make sure he has as much food as he can eat for that day. You will eventually know how much to give to him. Just make sure you remove the old and replace with fresh food every day.Mine has grown so much. I know when I first got him he was sick with diarrea for a couple of days and would not eat. He was used to the pellets they feed him at the pet store and also needed a good wash to get rid of the fungus that was growing on his shell. I constantly give him fresh warm water to soak in and drink and I keep him clean, I also clean his area once a week. His happy and seems very healthy. I hope this will helps.
Well hi I just got my red-footed tortoise yesterday from petsmart and today his a.k.a Little-Foot eye's are running not that much like a teardrop and he has diarrhea since when I got him.
What petsmart did you get yourz from?
I have one and his eye is a little drippy too but not diarrhea just to be on the safe side you should get him checked out but drippy eyes I think is natural but awkward.
Don't worry he should be ok after a couple of days, roughly 3 days. When I first got mine he did the same thing. I called the pet store and talked to the vet. I believe it's the diet that they have them on. I gave my red foot greens until well and then I gave him some fruits, and a little protein (boiled egg) not the whole egg. If he is not better after a couple of days call the pet store. I hope that helps.
My tortoise's nails are bent the wrong way. I'm wondering if they're growing like that or he's doing something to make them bend. Is that normal?
I got a Red Footed Tortoise his name is shelldone. I love him so much. I taught him how to wave. I am 8 years old. I try to take him out of his cage to give him exercise and attention every day. Sometimes I get busy but I know he's always there.
I have a red foot tortoise, his name is Franklin. I just brought him home. My dad helped me set up his tank. So far he is shy. We love him and I hope he loves us.
He just needs to adjust to the environment. Be sure to have the correct temp & humidity. Also, he may not eat right away till he is comfortable. Don't worry, be patient because he is full of
love & totally worth the wait!
I have a red foot named morton that I got at a reptile show 6yrs. ago & he is by far the best pet I have ever had! Red foots are the most intelligent of their species & can be trained. They are very curious & have amazing personalities! P.S..they love their heads rubbed hard & will push against you.
I have a redfoot named Shelly. She's smart and active; she has a good appetite, and I adore her. She's 2yrs old and getting large (she gets into the dogs food more than she should). The problem is, she has several white areas on her shell. It does not look like a fungus. It looks like she has no pigmentation-like vitiligo! What could this be? Has anyone else seen this?
Dog food is bad, bad, bad and cause pyramiding. IF you must give a dry protein source a HIGH QUALITY CAT FOOD THAT IS LOW FAT and has no or little corn is best. Boiled eggs, raw chicken, raw shrimp and many kinds of worms ( mill worms are easy and cheap to get) are more ideal. They are prone to so many metabolic diseases when they eat dog or cat food as it has grains that are not good for them and too much fat. But cat high quality low fat cat food is the lesser of two evils and even that should be limited to 1x a week. Hope that helps.
It might have a rotten shell which is bad you should get it checked out.
I have a Red-Foot I let him run around the apartment & on the patio. My dog likes to follow it and he'll every once in awhile turn him over. The Red Foot is great pet.
I have a red foot tortoise as well her name is yurtle the turtle it was yortoise the tortoise but we found out she is a female she is great the best part is I have a big dog about 80 pounds and they are like best friends I've had her about 5 years now.
You should never let your dog near a tortoise (or any reptile in general). Regardless of what happened in the past, your dog's instincts will eventually tell it that your tortoise is a walking bone worth investigating. People often say: "Well, I've had my tortoise and dog for many years and they never attack each other," and they continue to allow the two animals to come intact with each other. This happens all too often. Unfortunately, the end result will often be a severely injured tortoise (or in some cases, a dead tortoise) in need of immediate medical attention. Don't mix your animals.