Reply by amazoa — 2013-04-06 15:30:54 GMT

The husbandry of the yellowfoot and redfoot is basically the same. I keep redfoots but have a friend who had several adult yellowfoots. His liked to hide out in downed Branches seeking shade. That makes sense stands to reason since the yellowfoots like the rainforest with lots of trees overhead.
The size is similar with the yellowfoots being and inch or two longer with the exception of the amazon basin yellowfoots. They are like a stretch Limo....just huge.
When the temperature drops into the 50's I heard my redfoots into their heated enclosure with a digital thermostat that controls a infra-red heat light and a back up 150 watt ceramic heat fixture. Wishing you luck with your stock--Richard

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Richard -amazoa-

"Changes in behavior occur when the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change."

Reply by amazoa — 2013-03-17 22:29:35 GMT

My personal thought is I would much rather see and observe the tortoise I'm buying rather then buy it sight unseen over the net. The problem is some of the stock at reptile shows are wild caught. Your much better off buying Captive Born offspring. Finding a reputable Breeder who is selling offspring that are "captive Born" is essential. Good Luck - Richard

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Richard -amazoa-

"Changes in behavior occur when the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change."

Reply by amazoa — 2013-01-13 17:38:26 GMT

My only advice would be to observe it's solid wastes and as long as it's not slimy, runny your good. We shoot for a shape of a cigar as evidence of a healthy gut. Otherwise it's time for a fecal float and some meds to get it back on track...Good luck...Richard

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Richard -amazoa-

"Changes in behavior occur when the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change."

Reply by amazoa — 2012-12-16 18:16:08 GMT

Your definately doing it right. Congrat's on the good hatch rate. What a great feeling to open that incubator and see the life inside the egg chipping it's way out.....Happy Holidays to All..Richard

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Richard -amazoa-

"Changes in behavior occur when the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change."

Reply by marcp — 2012-11-23 01:52:07 GMT

I concur with Richard. I keep the eggs on almost dry Espoma brand organic vermiculate but keep a water filled bowl in the Hovabator for humidity. My temps are around 84F also and I have almost 100% hatching success with fertile eggs.

Reply by amazoa — 2012-11-03 00:36:25 GMT

I strive for an 80% humidity rate and I usually incubate my eggs at 84 degrees. Common knowledge is you will get males at around 82 and females at 89. I have avoided incubating at higher temps because of side effects such as scute abnormalities and even had a redfoot hatch with just one eye. Bye the way I have kept her and she is awesome and my vet said the eye problem is definately not hereditary and she will make a great breeder. Good luck-- If all goes will you will have babies hatching out anywhere between day 120-180 or so......later Richard

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Richard -amazoa-

"Changes in behavior occur when the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change."

Reply by HAPPY124 — 2012-09-26 09:35:32 GMT

Thank you for your response.
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Cheryl

Reply by amazoa — 2012-09-16 18:36:31 GMT

I have heard that is an option. With the prolapse you have to worry about the tissue drying out and beginning to become necrotic. I have used with success soaking the tortoise in warm water with a pound of sugar mixed in. One time I actually used alot of KY Jelly and pushed the prolapse back in the animal and duct taped a Bottle Cap larger then the anus to keep the delicate3 tissue up ibn the animal and give it a chance to heal. No feed during this maximum of 5-7 days. It worked like a charm of course a Vet would push it in and stitch it closed and have you come back to remove the stitches...same end result and alot cheaper if their are no complications. This procedure above should only be attempted if the tissue is fresh with no sign of necrosis..By the way the female has laid 3 clutches of eggs since her repair last year so she is doing her tortoise thing...Good Luck Richard

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Richard -amazoa-

"Changes in behavior occur when the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change."

Reply by amazoaboas — 2012-07-12 12:37:15 GMT

It's time to take the tort and fresh stool sample to the vet:
This Tortoise can go down very quickly so act fast......Good Luck

Reply by amazoa — 2012-05-14 12:21:57 GMT

Your Welcome - It's good to hear yout tortoise is improving. Richard

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Richard -amazoa-

"Changes in behavior occur when the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change."

Reply by pyxigirl — 2012-05-13 14:48:54 GMT

Thanks for the suggestions. I cant find sphagnum moss where I live, I have asked the Home Depot if they can try order it in, but for now I use ground coconut husk, which basically looks like the regular peat moss. I mist her habitat daily and keep the ground moist, and I have a reptile heat pad under one end of the tank as well. She also has a large bowl of water which she soaks in daily. She has some very slight pyramiding but where we live is cold almost all year so she cant go outdoors except for during the day for a couple months in the summer.
She seems to be feeling better now, she is back to her normal active self and her appetite is coming back. I wont let her roam the yard freely anymore, I will make a pen in one area where there is just grass, so she cant eat any bad plants.
Thanks again for replying........

Reply by amazoa — 2012-05-11 18:45:31 GMT

Not sure why he is not feeling well but I would suggest the following:

1. Raise the humidity by adding plenty of moistened Spagnum
Moss at one end of the enclosure. I use the Orchid Spanum
Moss that Home Depot Sells...it is a cleaner thicker moss
that holds humidity well.
2. Place a Human heating pad under your enclosure on low or
medium setting on that same end with the moss. Monitor
closely the heat level making sure the moss does not dry
out (so mist as needed)
3. Continue to soak the tortoise in warm water for 15 min.
a couple of times a day.
4. For the next few days feed him Romaine it flushes the tor-
toise out much better then collards or turnip greens do.

5. Of course if he continues downward get to a vet----

NOTE: I have helped many of mine by doing the following:

Flagyl (metronidazole) 150 mg/kg PO weekly (per Melissa
Kaplans Reptile Dosage page)

I have bought this in the past in the Pet Fish Medication
section and put the appropriate dosage indicated above
in a sweet potatoe-----Good Luck - Richard

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Richard -amazoa-

"Changes in behavior occur when the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change."

Reply by pyxigirl — 2012-05-11 18:09:57 GMT

Not sure if my photo worked in the last message so just trying again.

Reply by Paradon — 2012-05-13 04:01:11 GMT

Awww! Give me one!

Reply by amazoa — 2012-05-04 20:24:40 GMT

It has to be shallow mine is no deeper then 2 inches as I do have some Juvie's in with my adults. You don't want them to flip over and drown. I'll post my outdoor enclosure here so you can see I use the bottom of a dog igloo house for the water reservoir. Also have a sprinkler head in the enclosure and they love it. Sorry it took so long to get your question answered as I don't check this forum much...later Rich

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Richard -amazoa-

"Changes in behavior occur when the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change."

Reply by amazoa — 2012-05-09 12:49:42 GMT

I wanted to mention we got our Emys Phayrei in 1996 and it grew up with our redfoot tortoises. I had a friend who free ranged his Phayrei on a large property sectioned off with railroad ties to create pens. He had Yellowfoots and they got along fine. I never witnessed agression between the breeds but just let that be the deciding factor. Due to the size difference in adults you would want to house them separately if the agression thing is an issue with your tortoises.......Good Luck Richard

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Richard -amazoa-

"Changes in behavior occur when the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change."

Reply by amazoa — 2012-05-04 20:26:51 GMT

Yea as long as there is no agression. I have done it for years.
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Richard -amazoa-

"Changes in behavior occur when the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change."

Reply by sallytheredfoot — 2012-02-02 04:31:28 GMT

It's funny you say that,cause about a month ago I started shaving it onto her food once a week. Plus everyday the weather hits at least 70. I put her outside for the day

Reply by domalle — 2012-01-03 12:30:17 GMT

just because she doesn't utilize the "calcium bar" in the enclosure does not mean she is getting enough calcium in her diet - sprinkle some powdered calcium on her food periodically
Happy New Year

Reply by sallytheredfoot — 2011-12-23 20:59:47 GMT

Any suggestions on diet,or leave it alone? She eats a regular diet of greens,with about twice a week fruits. She seems fine on cal,at least she doesn't ever really touch the cal bar in her inclosure!

Reply by sallytheredfoot — 2011-12-21 02:43:15 GMT

Cool,thanks. She just seems lonely,I know I would be!

Reply by domalle — 2011-12-20 19:52:36 GMT

seems small enough that now under Florida conditions
will basically self-correct and straighten out
if given adequate diet
mixing species or other animals in is not generally recommended
for number of reasons
they are basically solitary in nature but are known
to congregate

Reply by marcp — 2011-10-10 14:32:07 GMT

Your tortoise looks to be a female. If you want a care sheet with advice from me let me know. I have kept redfoots for 30 years and think they are one of the best pet tortoises you can get. Post your email address and I can send you a caresheet. I am very private so I do not want mine posted. Marc

Reply by unchikun — 2011-08-01 22:24:24 GMT

she's colored very much like my junior, the way the yellow and orange is on her head. if she was found wandering, if you haven't already, a fecal check by a vet can make sure she doesn't have any parasites... generally a good idea to make sure she's getting all the benefits she can from her food and your garden! and watch those toes, junior will nip mine when she is frisky, especially if i have a bright nail polish on!

Reply by dumje — 2011-07-23 23:57:51 GMT

if shes flat...with a really really short tale...then shes a she...Redfoot males have a strong concave belly....
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Michael Enriquez

Enriquez Reptiles

Reply by Bsquared — 2011-07-23 18:05:26 GMT

She's pretty well flat across the belly. I'll try and get a pic this evening. It's already good and hot so she's holed up.

Bill

Reply by dumje — 2011-07-23 17:05:33 GMT

show a belly pic and you can find out the sex...
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Michael Enriquez

Enriquez Reptiles

Reply by buddys — 2011-07-25 21:20:52 GMT

I have another question, does anyone know how to keep there heads and legs from having such dry skin. The humidity is kept very high and I cant seem to get rid of the dry skin. Her head is really dry when shes not wet like in the picture.
Thanks

Reply by buddys — 2011-07-25 21:17:09 GMT

I have another question, does anyone know how to keep there heads and legs from having such dry skin. The humidity is kept very high and I cant seem to get rid of the dry skin. Her head is really dry when shes not wet like in the picture.
Thanks

Reply by dumje — 2011-07-23 17:04:07 GMT

It looks very nice....and it doesnt show any signs of fading as of now...time will tell.
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Michael Enriquez

Enriquez Reptiles