Turtletary - RF Caresheet

Redfoot Tortoise Caresheet.. Simple.. Easy to follow
Common Sense.. lots of pics!

~~~~~

First and foremost -
I praise my Savior Jesus Christ..
this is HIS business..
HIS website.. His animals.. HIS Wisdom..
in caring for them.
At best I'm the shepherd and strive to follow HIS lead.

~~~~~

"Top quality service is the least I can do"!

Look for "more of the story"..
in the September '06 issue of Reptiles magazine.
Follow the link in the Redfoot's page above
for the "un-edited" version!

*** A "revised" version of redfoots.com
can be found toward the bottom of this page ***

This is a "long" page..
your endurance will reward you!
Read it all.

"Redfoot Tortoise" CARESHEET
{ originated 2005 }

-------

If you are here because someone suggested it.. I thank them!
If from your own personal research.. I thank you!
Take your time and READ everything and follow all of the links..
your redfoot will be thankful that you did! You will too.

2010 - "STATEMENT" -

**November 2010*** - there has been much "talk" about animal protein as part of a redfoot hatchlings'/youngsters' ( before 6 months - avg. 3" ) needs! I am sure in the wild they nibble on tiny grubs, larvae and worms.. and I'm quite confident that their instincts tell them exactly how much is needed. I DO NOT advocate feeding any protein to a "less-than-6 month old" hatchling/youngster.. I believe it would be too difficult to monitor their actual needs at that young/small size -- concentrate on the temps and humidity FIRST. This has proven successful since Feb. '05 and literally 100's of hatchlings.
"Mist-them-til-they-drip" 3-4 times a day up to 100 times.. whichever comes first! ; ) [ Based on the findings of Richard Fife ( "Ivory" sulcata's ) and myself since 2005 ]

Since December '98 I've been raising redfoot tortoises. Early on there was "limited" info on how to care for them.. especially on the "internet". So I simply started raising them with the "a tortoise is a tortoise is a tortoise" mentality.. they're all cared for the same way! ~WRONG~ Mine started growing "bumpy".. AKA 'pyramided'. About that time I was introduced to the marvelous world of internet "researching" ( where everything is 'gospel' ).. and all worries about doing it wrong are resolved. (period) WRONG again? With that in mind.....

"DISCLAIMER" - What you are about to read is 'virtually' the opposite of what you will find on the internet - when it comes to caring for redfoot tortoises. The 'damage' done to my early hatchlings from '98 is irreparable! That's sad. You don't have to do that.

**Since late '98 those 3 hatchlings have grown to be 3 females that have created 200+ hatchlings.. and a couple of the 'first' '05's are now 8+" females** So any hatchlings raised following the prescribed care here.. will grow "virtually" smooth carapaces.. and thrive well. UPDATE - no less than one of those '05 hatchlings is now a "proven" breeder.. producing 2 hatchlings from her very FIRST clutch.. @ 6 years of age!!!

Virtually ALL info found here is a result of.. "personal 'hands-on' " experience along with info from 3 other long-term tortoise breeders! That adds up to many [ about 100 ] years of experience.. is that enough? -- NOT read out of a book written by someone who has "researched" them in the wild.. OR something posted on the internet [ that refuse to show results ]. Are you more interested in how to care for them in your own "back-yard".. from hatchlings to adults?.. which we have -- read on!

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF "PROFESSIONAL" FIELD-RESEARCHERS THAT HAVE SPENT YEARS AND LIFETIMES IN THE FIELD TRACKING AND DOCUMENTING WHAT REDFOOT TORTOISES DO AND HOW AND WHERE THEY DO IT. MANY OF THESE HAVE WRITTEN BOOKS AND ARE QUOTED AS BEING AUTHORITIES IN THEIR OWN TIME.. THEIR EXPERIENCE IS CONSIDERED BY SOME TO BE BEYOND REPROACH - AND QUESTIONING ANYTHING THEY SAY IS A MORAL SIN AND AN EMBARRASSMENT TO THE COMMUNITY OF EVERY KNOWN AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL REDFOOT TORTOISE KEEPER ON THE ENTIRE CIVILIZED PLANET!

I have a question.. how many times does someone need to tell how and where a redfoot lives.. what temps they prefer.. what humidity they prefer.. what they prefer to eat.. and how much light they prefer? - to keep one in your room or back yard?
What else do we really need to know? [ until they are mature and breed ]

-------

If/when a "caresheet" author posts their caresheet.. contact them and ask to see the results of their caresheet.. and see what you get. Ask them to see how their hatchlings have responded to "their" regime!

I wondered why they were not willing to show the results of what they advocate? So I did contact a few of them........ and that's when I determined to find out how to raise them so they looked like they had "grown-up" in the wild. I figured if they looked good on the outside they must be good on the inside.. what do you think?

I do not claim to know everything about raising.. and now breeding.. redfoot tortoises - never have claimed to [ been accused of multiple times - who knows why? ]. I just show what mine look like as hatchlings and 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5+ years of age! Judge for yourself!

Be sure to follow ALL of the links thru-out this site.. especially the PhotoBucket links.. and see some of the hatchlings at the redfoottortoisebreeder.com site also.

Immediately below is how it all started!
I was once asked if I had it to do all over again would I make any real changes.
The only thing I would change would be to provide more humidity as they were growing up..
and a number of "business" decisions!

The "REVISED" version below hopefully is even simpler than the
'original'.. and more concise than redfoots.com.

Redfoot tortoises are known for their "gregarious" character..
If I listed everytime they do something unique I would need more computer space!!!

If raising hatchlings to become "proven" breeders..
and "starting" their hatchlings to "eat right out of the box"
means anything .. then you may want to consider the following.
And since it has taken several years by dedicated tortoise breeders to compile this info..
unless you have a "photographic" memory ( we certainly don't have..
which is why it has taken us several years )..
you definitely will want to refer to this on a regular basis.
To date.. ( Dec. '09 ).. we have hatched well over 200 redfoot tortoises.. something is working!

I am here to help in any way that I can. When you have a Q? about redfoot tortoises..
there's a real good chance you can find the answer here.. or Redfoots.com above!

Please do yourself and me a favor..
please read over the area that you have in Q at least 3 times.. and THEN if it's still not clear
do yourself and me and especially your redfoot a favor..
email.. turtletary@frontier.com and ask!

This "Caresheet" has been compiled from various sources..
and now over 10 years of my own personal experience with Redfoot Tortoises.
My female breeders , raised from hatchlings, must be healthy and happy..
they are producing consistently!
They started laying eggs in their 6th year.. at about 10 1/2"-11".
The males were young (10").. so I suspect they hadn't yet reached their sexual maturity.
"Most" of their first eggs were dead.. .. and there were several.. the girls were doing their part!

'07 produced the highest % of fertile eggs.. so they are becoming 'proven' breeders!

***Still [ '09 ] not the percentages that they are capable of.. according to "long-term"
breeders with 'older.. established' breeding groups.
So I have to keep in mind that mine are still "young" in many ways!
Plus I'm always dealing with weather that isn't always the best "conditions" for them.***

Notice that this "Caresheet" focuses on getting your tortoise started right.. the first year!
We believe it's too easy to "over-supplement" the first year.. especially!!!
In fact.. quoting a major sulcata breeder..

"One of the biggest medical problems..
with hatchling tortoises today.. is overdosing of vitamins."

Once the temps are close to 70F I will take the "yearlings"..
(and younger).. outside for fresh air!
They will eat and then run for cover.. they don't like the sunshine.

The adults are out for the summer as soon as it gets above 65F consistantly..
but brought in in the fall when it gets in the mid-60's or less!

ON AN AVERAGE.. MY SUB-ADULTS AND ADULTS
ARE OUTSIDE 6 - 7 MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR..
WHICH HELPS WITH THEIR D3 REQUIREMENTS

********

LIGHTING: Redfoot tortoises are near "Rainforest" tortoises.

They live on the edges of the forest.. which means they don't need a "basking" area.
My "indoor" enclosure ( for my breeders ) has [ 2 ] 18" strip lights at two different locations..
with "plant/aquarium" bulbs so they can see what they are eating!
UVB is NOT an issue with redfoot tortoises.. D3 is derived primarily from their diet.
Mine breed and lay eggs inside .. sometimes in the dark!

While outside, they are grazing.. or napping in the shade/tall clover..
but most of the time they are in their "hide"!
So if adults are happy with virtually no UVB..
your hatchling certainly does not need their eyes fried out with it.
They spend the first couple of years laying low.. away from preditors..
out of the direct sun and sight.. wouldn't you think???
Many believe.. and I agree.. " too much" UVB is bad for little hatchling eyes!

IF YOUR HATCHLING/YOUNGSTER IS UNDER THE LIGHT A LOT..
THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE HE'S TRYING TO GET WARMER!

********

HUMIDITY: The # 1 priority for redfoot hatchlings!
These tortoises start out as eggs (brilliant observation.. huh?).. in almost muddy soil.
They require high levels of humidity. As soon as these hatchlings are out of the 'nursery'..
and eating on their own.. they are "misted".. while eating as well as in their hide.
This can be accomplished by "misting" with a simple "spray-bottle"
throughout the entire enclosure.. daily.
These little guys do require some care daily!
My adults are most active during a summer rain!
You can't get redfoot tortoises too wet!

I have never "soaked" any of my tortoises.. just provide a water dish for them..
they somehow "mess-it-up" almost daily.. anyway!!!
The water dish is "chin-deep".. so it's easy to climb out of..
so you don't need to "force" soaking on them..
they will figure it out for themselves!!!!!!!!!

	Redfoot Tortoise Caresheet.. Simple.. Easy to follow Common Sense.. lots of pics! ~~~~~ First and foremost - I praise my Savior Jesus Christ.. this is HIS business.. HIS website.. His animals.. HIS Wisdom.. in caring for them. At best I'm the shepherd and strive to follow HIS lead. ~~~~~ "Top quality service is the least I can do"! Look for "more of the story".. in the September '06 issue of Reptiles magazine. Follow the link in the Redfoot's page above for the "un-edited" version! * A "revised" version of redfoots.com can be found toward the bottom of this page * This is a "long" page.. your endurance will reward you! Read it all. "Redfoot Tortoise" CARESHEET { originated 2005 } ------- If you are here because someone suggested it.. I thank them! If from your own personal research.. I thank you! Take your time and READ everything and follow all of the links.. your redfoot will be thankful that you did! You will too. 2010 - "STATEMENT" - November 2010* - there has been much "talk" about animal protein as part of a redfoot hatchlings'/youngsters' ( before 6 months - avg. 3" ) needs! I am sure in the wild they nibble on tiny grubs, larvae and worms.. and I'm quite confident that their instincts tell them exactly how much is needed. I DO NOT advocate feeding any protein to a "less-than-6 month old" hatchling/youngster.. I believe it would be too difficult to monitor their actual needs at that young/small size -- concentrate on the temps and humidity FIRST. This has proven successful since Feb. '05 and literally 100's of hatchlings. "Mist-them-til-they-drip" 3-4 times a day up to 100 times.. whichever comes first! ; ) [ Based on the findings of Richard Fife ( "Ivory" sulcata's ) and myself since 2005 ] Since December '98 I've been raising redfoot tortoises. Early on there was "limited" info on how to care for them.. especially on the "internet". So I simply started raising them with the "a tortoise is a tortoise is a tortoise" mentality.. they're all cared for the same way! ~WRONG~ Mine started growing "bumpy".. AKA 'pyramided'. About that time I was introduced to the marvelous world of internet "researching" ( where everything is 'gospel' ).. and all worries about doing it wrong are resolved. (period) WRONG again? With that in mind..... "DISCLAIMER" - What you are about to read is 'virtually' the opposite of what you will find on the internet - when it comes to caring for redfoot tortoises. The 'damage' done to my early hatchlings from '98 is irreparable! That's sad. You don't have to do that. Since late '98 those 3 hatchlings have grown to be 3 females that have created 200+ hatchlings.. and a couple of the 'first' '05's are now 8+" females So any hatchlings raised following the prescribed care here.. will grow "virtually" smooth carapaces.. and thrive well. UPDATE - no less than one of those '05 hatchlings is now a "proven" breeder.. producing 2 hatchlings from her very FIRST clutch.. @ 6 years of age!!! Virtually ALL info found here is a result of.. "personal 'hands-on' " experience along with info from 3 other long-term tortoise breeders! That adds up to many [ about 100 ] years of experience.. is that enough? -- NOT read out of a book written by someone who has "researched" them in the wild.. OR something posted on the internet [ that refuse to show results ]. Are you more interested in how to care for them in your own "back-yard".. from hatchlings to adults?.. which we have -- read on! THERE ARE A NUMBER OF "PROFESSIONAL" FIELD-RESEARCHERS THAT HAVE SPENT YEARS AND LIFETIMES IN THE FIELD TRACKING AND DOCUMENTING WHAT REDFOOT TORTOISES DO AND HOW AND WHERE THEY DO IT. MANY OF THESE HAVE WRITTEN BOOKS AND ARE QUOTED AS BEING AUTHORITIES IN THEIR OWN TIME.. THEIR EXPERIENCE IS CONSIDERED BY SOME TO BE BEYOND REPROACH - AND QUESTIONING ANYTHING THEY SAY IS A MORAL SIN AND AN EMBARRASSMENT TO THE COMMUNITY OF EVERY KNOWN AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL REDFOOT TORTOISE KEEPER ON THE ENTIRE CIVILIZED PLANET! I have a question.. how many times does someone need to tell how and where a redfoot lives.. what temps they prefer.. what humidity they prefer.. what they prefer to eat.. and how much light they prefer? - to keep one in your room or back yard? What else do we really need to know? [ until they are mature and breed ] ------- If/when a "caresheet" author posts their caresheet.. contact them and ask to see the results of their caresheet.. and see what you get. Ask them to see how their hatchlings have responded to "their" regime! I wondered why they were not willing to show the results of what they advocate? So I did contact a few of them........ and that's when I determined to find out how to raise them so they looked like they had "grown-up" in the wild. I figured if they looked good on the outside they must be good on the inside.. what do you think? I do not claim to know everything about raising.. and now breeding.. redfoot tortoises - never have claimed to [ been accused of multiple times - who knows why? ]. I just show what mine look like as hatchlings and 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5+ years of age! Judge for yourself! Be sure to follow ALL of the links thru-out this site.. especially the PhotoBucket links.. and see some of the hatchlings at the redfoottortoisebreeder.com site also. Immediately below is how it all started! I was once asked if I had it to do all over again would I make any real changes. The only thing I would change would be to provide more humidity as they were growing up.. and a number of "business" decisions! The "REVISED" version below hopefully is even simpler than the 'original'.. and more concise than redfoots.com. Redfoot tortoises are known for their "gregarious" character.. If I listed everytime they do something unique I would need more computer space!!! ------- ****** {original 2005 caresheet} If raising hatchlings to become "proven" breeders.. and "starting" their hatchlings to "eat right out of the box" means anything .. then you may want to consider the following. And since it has taken several years by dedicated tortoise breeders to compile this info.. unless you have a "photographic" memory ( we certainly don't have.. which is why it has taken us several years ).. you definitely will want to refer to this on a regular basis. To date.. ( Dec. '09 )*.. we have hatched well over 200 redfoot tortoises.. something is working! I am here to help in any way that I can. When you have a Q? about redfoot tortoises.. there's a real good chance you can find the answer here.. or Redfoots.com above! Please do yourself and me a favor.. please read over the area that you have in Q at least 3 times.. and THEN if it's still not clear do yourself and me and especially your redfoot* a favor.. email.. turtletary@frontier.com and ask! This "Caresheet" has been compiled from various sources.. and now over 10 years of my own personal experience with Redfoot Tortoises. My female breeders , raised from hatchlings, must be healthy and happy.. they are producing consistently! They started laying eggs in their 6th year.. at about 10 1/2"-11". The males were young (10").. so I suspect they hadn't yet reached their sexual maturity. "Most" of their first eggs were dead.. .. and there were several.. the girls were doing their part! '07 produced the highest % of fertile eggs.. so they are becoming 'proven' breeders! *Still [ '09 ] not the percentages that they are capable of.. according to "long-term" breeders with 'older.. established' breeding groups. So I have to keep in mind that mine are still "young" in many ways! Plus I'm always dealing with weather that isn't always the best "conditions" for them.* Notice that this "Caresheet" focuses on getting your tortoise started right.. the first year! We believe it's too easy to "over-supplement" the first year.. especially!!! In fact.. quoting a major sulcata breeder.. "One of the biggest medical problems.. with hatchling tortoises today.. is overdosing of vitamins." ------- I'm "updating" as the Q's come in.. read thru first.. feel free to ask - Once the temps are close to 70F I will take the "yearlings".. (and younger).. outside for fresh air! They will eat and then run for cover.. they don't like the sunshine. The adults are out for the summer as soon as it gets above 65F consistantly.. but brought in in the fall when it gets in the mid-60's or less! ------- ON AN AVERAGE.. MY SUB-ADULTS AND ADULTS ARE OUTSIDE 6 - 7 MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR.. WHICH HELPS WITH THEIR D3 REQUIREMENTS turtletary@frontier.com 931.788.2828 - central - 9a~7p ******** LIGHTING: Redfoot tortoises are near "Rainforest" tortoises. They live on the edges of the forest.. which means they don't need a "basking" area. My "indoor" enclosure ( for my breeders ) has [ 2 ] 18" strip lights at two different locations.. with "plant/aquarium" bulbs so they can see what they are eating! UVB is NOT an issue with redfoot tortoises.. D3 is derived primarily from their diet. Mine breed and lay eggs inside .. sometimes in the dark! While outside, they are grazing.. or napping in the shade/tall clover.. but most of the time they are in their "hide"! So if adults are happy with virtually no UVB.. your hatchling certainly does not need their eyes fried out with it. They spend the first couple of years laying low.. away from preditors.. out of the direct sun and sight.. wouldn't you think??? Many believe.. and I agree.. " too much" UVB is bad for little hatchling eyes! IF YOUR HATCHLING/YOUNGSTER IS UNDER THE LIGHT A LOT.. THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE HE'S TRYING TO GET WARMER! ******** HUMIDITY: The # 1 priority for redfoot hatchlings! These tortoises start out as eggs (brilliant observation.. huh?).. in almost muddy soil. They require high levels of humidity. As soon as these hatchlings are out of the 'nursery'.. and eating on their own.. they are "misted".. while eating as well as in their hide. This can be accomplished by "misting" with a simple "spray-bottle" throughout the entire enclosure.. daily. These little guys do require some care daily! My adults are most active during a summer rain! You can't get redfoot tortoises too wet! I have never "soaked" any of my tortoises.. just provide a water dish for them.. they somehow "mess-it-up" almost daily.. anyway!!! The water dish is "chin-deep".. so it's easy to climb out of.. so you don't need to "force" soaking on them.. they will figure it out for themselves!!!!!!!!! ------- See how muddy they start out.. Click on pics to enlarge...
	********
	HIDE/TEMPS: A vital part of health and well-being! Since I have a "room" separate from our living quarters.. I can keep the temps up! Therefore I don't need to use a heat emitter. We have created a perfect "heat-emitter" for indoor set-ups! See below. A flower pot cut in half or a log "tunnel" pointed 'away' from the light source- ( you don't sleep with the light on.. do you? ) is ideal for hatchlings. Moistened "spag moss".. which has been pulled apart to become "fluffy".. is placed inside the pot. A "heat-emitter" directly over the "hide" will keep the temps up.. and a daily misting of the moss will help keep the humidity up inside.. also. Only mist the moss enough to keep it moist.. not so much as to saturate! Mid- upper 80's F is fine "in their hide".. low 80's F is ideal ambient temperature. A hiding spot away from the light and heat is a good idea also.. and expect your hatchling to spend "most"of their time..IN their hide! You may have to experiment with the temps. This is the "spag moss" I like and is used to get your tort "started"! "Cricket" found it at Lowe's.. inside garden dept. Thanks Cricket. I am now using the "Mosser Lee" for my '06/'07's.. inside.. about 2-3" deep.. they love to bury into it. ********
	DIET: The main source of D3! I agree with other principle tortoise breeders.. they maintain that allowing your young tortoise "daily" natural sunlight.. is the best thing for them ( amount based on breed ).. however in the winter this is not always possible. Being a redfoot tortoise breeder.. I have never been concerned with the D3 issue.. since mine receive the best "high calcium" greens and "animal protein" as their diet.. year round. "We" agree that too much Vit. D is much worse than not enough. The only "supplements" I have ever used.. is pure Calcium Carbonate with NO D3. About "Half?" of my redfoot tortoise's diet consists of fruit & protein.. combined! A source of animal protein is vital also.. { redfoot tortoises are much more carnivorous than most believe or will accept! }. Their main source of D3 is derived from their diet. Sound like I'm trying to make a point? I also ( per Andy Highfield.. see link below ) use a "weight-management" type dry catfood every 7 days or so.. well moistened until soft.. and "dowsed" with pure Calcium Carbonate powder (no D3).. ( wait until your hatchling is 6 monthsold/over 3" or so before "supplementing" with protein and calcium on a weekly basis ) Always remember.. protein and calcium goes a long way! This is what I am now using.. My choice on Cat food.. http://www.proplan.com/products/WeightManagement_DryCat.html My choice on Calcium.. You should be able to find this in just about any "Health-food" store. If you don't do anything else for your Redfoot tortoise....... Read and adhere to these guidelines in these links.. when you want a healthy and happy redfoot tortoise for life. These links have been an important source in the successful rearing of my hatchlings - adults. Finally.. Many of the "outdated" thoughts on protein and humidity.. that has produced serious "PYRAMIDING".. are now changing. The "up-to-date" guidelines.. that produce smooth and healthy juveniles.. are now gradually being accepted! { Pic documented results are found thru-out this Caresheet } http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/feeding_redfoots.html http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/webdiet.htm Seldom banana.. never tomato ( too messy and creates the "runs" ).. light on kale.. if at all.. no spinach. Strawberry, peaches, pineapple, plums.. whatever is in season. Grape leaves, Hibiscus leaves and flowers, dandelion greens, endive, escarole, turnip greens.. and collards are greens of choice.. { highest in calcium in that order }. Feed your hatchling "once" daily.. whatever they don't eat at one setting.. discard.. PERIOD.. too much is bad for their kidneys! A good plentiful water source is Vital also! DO NOT RUSH THEIR GROWTH!! FEEDING SCHEDULE.. first 2 days "greens alone".. next day "fruit alone".. next 2 days "greens alone".. next day "fruit treat" - pineapple or something different.. next day "animal protein" ( NOT Mazuri.. protein level too low & not animal source ). Sprinkle re-hydrated cat food with Calcium Carbonate powder (no D3). "Chop/slice" everything small enough.. "bite-size" -- Again.. these are all at least 6 months/3" ****** HOUSING: They have to be comfortable for good health!** I start hatchlings in a "sweater box" ( 16"x24"x6" ) with an 18" ( kitchen under-cabinet type ) fluorescent fixture.. laid across the top.. remove the cover and turn away from the back half. Moistened "spag moss" is where they "hide".. where they crawl up into. A small "butter-lid" works fine as a water dish.. and no "substrate" is really needed at this point. When you are ready to provide a "juvenile" set-up. I have recently re-built the "tort-tables".. and am using the "Spag-moss" ( used to start these little guys ).. as their substrate. They love digging into it to hide. And remember once a substrate is added.. be sure to provide large feeding "plate" to help avoid possibilty of ingesting it. Shown is a very simple and effective set-up for a hatchling.. the very way I get them "started"! The blue cover is just a lid from a smaller container. An inexpensive "under-the-cabinet" fixture with the cover removed provides the light.. no UVB required for the first 6 months .. your option - ( I have yet to use UVB inside.. ever ). This set-up ( without "heat-emitter" ) is fine where temps are above 80 F. Remember mine are in a room where it stays warm.. see below for smaller set-up requiring heat-emitter! I replaced "factory tube" with an aquarium/plant light.

	And here with cover removed.. showing "moss" in the dark.. I "mist" the underside of the cover before it is put back in place.. it is literally dripping.. to aid humidity retention!


	LOOK HERE: Once again Wiggles came thru.. he and I have created a perfect "Heat-Emitter" set-up for smaller enclosures.. http://www.redfoots.com/emitter/color.htm
	..this is what you get when you follow it! Hatched in late Feb.'05 - One day old.. see his egg-tooth? After 2 months.. smooth even growth.. Almost 5 months.. still smooth even growth.. Now over 9 months.. perfect carapace.. not quite 3 1/2" MY FIRST COLOMBO HATCHLING AT ONE YEAR.. FOLLOWING CARESHEET ABOVE.. Other "YEARLING" examples.. First "Sonshine" hatchling.. And "BUTTERSCOTCH".. look how smooth.. From hatching to above.. no UVB bulb ever used - whenever taken outside.. would eat and then go to "hide". ONLY supplements ever used has been Calcium Carbonate with NO D3 and high protein dry cat food.. and then not until at least 6 months old/ 3" long.. once a week. Fresh water (daily) about "chin deep" provided so they could do what they wanted to. Our redfoots have NEVER been soaked (no need).. have been "misted"of course until they drip often.. every day! If your redfoot tortoise looks like it's "crying" all the time.. it's because it's too dry!!! Keep your hatchlings warm and wet.. plenty of fruit and lots of good high calcium greens - and don't fry their eyes out with all that UVB. Keep it simple and effective as described above.. and they will be your "friends for life". The above works for me.. have fun and enjoy your REDFOOT!!! ****** . turtletary@frontier.com 931.788.2828 - central - 9a~7p After 7p.. email me and I'll call back ASAP **** The above is the original "Caresheet" written sometime in '05.. very little "tweeking" has occured over the past 5 years.. the BASICS are still the basics! **** Results you could/should expect... "Butterscotch" from egg - ( watch the 'dates' in the pics! ) - June '07 - From hatchling to 3 years 8 months.. level growth.. I'll figure it out sooner or later! **** Arrowhead late '06 - Still a little "eggtooth" visible.. He was 'sold' and then returned in June '08.. Have no idea how was kept or fed.. didn't grow.. Sept. '08.. still "smooth".. July '09.. Colors now changing.. Jan. '10.. growing "smooth"! I just love the "pattern" all over his head and nose.. Another beautiful.. well grown redfoot! This pic was taken June 2011 - right at 5 years old - How's this for smooth even growth? What a 'profile' huh? - **** One of my favorite "keepers" .. has always been with me.. May '07 hatchling - Almost 3 1/2 years later.. note smooth growth.. and compare patterns on head - This pic taken July 2011 - 4 years old - enjoying Hibiscus bloom! What a 'profile' huh? - How's this for smooth even growth? Perfect "mirror-image" symmetric patterns.. seldom { rarely seen } solid bars over eyes! **** ******** "Revised" Diet: UP to 6 months -** Feed your hatchling what they will eat in 10 minutes or so. If they walk away from anything then that is too much being offered. It is far better to "underfeed" than "overfeed". With more than one they may have their own eating habits.. so it is important to monitor each one.. don't let one eat everything! Pick from these that are readily available from your "produce source".. and get them on a good diet habit.. In order of calcium content: Grape Leaves, Hibiscus (blooms & leaves), Dandelion Greens, Curly Endive (not belgian) /Chicory, Escarole and Collard Greens. Although a variety is good no doubt..feed what is available per season.. or what the "Produce Mgr." can order for you.. you may be surprised what you can get when you ask! No reason to feel that you are betraying your baby because you can only find a few things in the winter.. for example! The feeding "schedule" should be as follows: Days 1 and 2: Greens only as above..avoid Kale and no Spinach! Why?? Kale is high in everything - like a 'steroid' - not a staple! Spinach has similar! On "greens" day we do not feed fruit because they often sort thru and only want to eat the fruit.. like a kid and candy! Day 3: Fruits only such as Strawberry, cantaloupe, plum, peach, pineapple, etc. Most anything from "south of the border"! I seldom if ever feed citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, lemons.. ( inside especially ).. maybe outside. Tomatoes are high in acid and tends to cause 'runny-stool'! "Seldom" Bananas!!! They would probly become addicted.. given the chance! Repeat days 1-3 At 6 months the hatchling diet can now be supplemented. This is at about 3" SCL... if he's bigger...it's DIET TIME!!! 6 Months - Yearlings The main 2 differences at 6 months and older would be that they can now be offered a source of animal protein. Again this is the schedule that we have used and the results speak for themselves. Nothing has changed much from above as far as the "protein-source". Adjust for amount as they grow.. this is the basic "procedure" of how to prepare.. I would place the catfood into their bucket and add enough "filtered" water to cover the catfood. [ you'll learn the amount of water with experience ]. Stir it a few times while it is absorbing the water. It will about double in size and still have a 'firm' consistency.. it should not become mushy! Offer a 6-12 month old 2 to 3 pellets ONCE a week. Sprinkle lightly with the Calcium carbonate powder above.. ( a 'cuttlebone' can also be made available for them to nibble at will ) Calcium carbonate is 'water-soluable' which means it is not retained in their system.. it washes right out. It is virtually impossible to O.D.! The catfood also contains D3 for those concerned about that! The other difference with your youngster is how often they are fed! Don't be afraid to skip a day feeding each 5-6 days. It is always better that they be hungry than overfed!!! Remember it takes probly 5 days to digest for a redfoot tortoise! Yearlings thru Sub-adults Redfoot tortoises grow real fast the first 4 or so years! My yearlings are typically 4". My '05's are approaching 8" SCL. { new pics ASAP } Generally speaking once they are 7-8" SCL they are all together with the adults! The only real difference is AMOUNT and how OFTEN they are fed. Outside in the early spring and summer.. when the weeds are sprouting, etc. they are allowed to "graze" and I'll scatter some fruit a couple times a week around their enclosures so they have to "hunt" for it! Then in large trays I'll offer the catfood about each 10 days or so. Adults They are all fed about every 3 days.. and they seldom walk away from anything. I will seldom if ever feed them anything that is not on the list.. even Romaine lettuce! They have water available at all times and outside the sprinkler system is run if it doesn't rain at least every other day.. which saturates everything. ****** "Revised" Enclosures: New - Hatchling thru Yearlings: Nothing has really changed.. the basic enclosure set-up is the same. Still using this great stuff.. Be sure to read all about.. mosserlee.com and follow the links when you get there! Still used in the 'younger' redfoot hides! New - Yearlings thru Sub-adults: August 2011 .. many changes being made to conserve energy and ease maintenance! Pics ASAP The below is obsolete now.. the new redfoot enclosures are almost complete turning out looking good.. pics soon! The "hinged" idea is being retained.** This 'indoor' enclosure is below the Hinge-back table. And since it is so low to the floor the front walls are 'hinged' for easier access.. The above 'table' is gone... This is the new redfoot table early on.. end results soon - The above is with the walls closed. The far right is the nest-box to be "walled-in" yet! This is how it looks with the bottom walls open - The cypress/hardwood mulch will be added along with one 4' flor. light. Pan left shows the 4' 'hides'. And with the top 'hide' open.. plenty of room for them. The total length of the table from hide to nest-box is 32" deep and right at 20' long. *********************** How to use Vinyl How How to uHoHow to use Vinyl to line table - se Vinyl for lining the tort table for lining the tort table Note: This method can be used for Hatchling - Adult Enclosures. Just adjust for size. ********************* TREATMENT of FUNGUS/Shell Rot: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ( From Admin of Redfoots.com ) Recently I found out that my Brazilian's had a fungus growing on their plastrons. When I first got them they were in perfect condition and only noticed this after about 6 months. So I started treating them with a daily ritual of cleaning the area first with a soft toothbrush dipped in Betadine, rinsing and then putting a 1% Clotrimazole anti-fungus cream on the infected areas with a Q-Tip. I also put them in a small 10 gal aquarium with no substrate to keep them clean and dry. NOTE: THE REASON THIS OCCURRED IS NOT THE ISSUE! This post is here to show how to treat it. The following pictures are of the progress of this treatment. May 10, 2007 Above - before any fungus October 24, 2007 First notice of fungus November 17, 2007 2 days after first treatment November 18, 2007 3 days after first treatment November 19, 2007 4 days after first treatment November 22, 2007 7 days after first treatment November 27, 2007 12 days after first treatment As you can see, the fungus is almost cleared up. I have also noticed that since the treatments and correct eating regime started, the above healing has resulted. I will update this post as they improve. I want to thank Terry for helping me find out how to take care of this problem and I also want to mention that the 'Only' redfoots that this happened to were Brazilians (Cherryheads) and none of them came from Terry. ********************* How to.. Video, etc. - http://www.redfoots.com/smf/index.php?topic=544.0**

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