Reptile & Amphibian Forums

After many years of owning my Red foots, they started laying eggs a few months ago. I can not find much detailed info on the care and incubation of them. I have them in an incubator. But would love some feed back with details on temps, and any other special things I should be doing or not doing. Should I mist them everyday to keep the humidity in, or keep dry? I have been misting frequently. Thanks!

I have a friend with several redfoots that all started laying eggs at about the same time & by the end of last summer, she had 20 hatchlings. I do know she kept the eggs moist. I got the 1st one to hatch out, which turned out to be one of the prettiest.
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That is a gorgeous tort!!! Congratulations! What's its name?

Go to Turtletary.com. He has done a lot of work with Redfoots, and knows his stuff! Very helpful in giving advise as well! Good luck!
Beth

I incubate RF eggs using standard Hovabator incubators.
I set the temperature at 83.0 to 85.5 degrees F. Mostly, the temps average 83.6 though.
Both perlite and vermiculite can be used as medium. I thoroughly wet the media(whichever I use)and then squeeze out the excess water before putting it in the incubator. After that I mist about once a week to keep the humidity stable and high---but do not keep the eggs wet! They should appear dry while the viewing window on the incubator has slight condensation on it. The medium should feel slightly damp.
Incubation times can vary anywhere from 4 to 7 months (or longer for no apparant reason) but average for me around 4.5 to 5 months.
I have used higher temps (in 86 to 88 degree range) in the past but I consistently got a number of deformities when I did. Since I lowered my incubation temperatures I haven't had a split or extra scute hatchling in over 25 years.
When the incubating clutch hits the 4 month mark I increase the humidity for them by misting them directly a couple of times a week.
Although I haven't followed that many of my hatchlings over the years, the ones I do know of are about 50-50 males to females.

how many years were they with you before they started to lay?