Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

It is quite cold where I live now and I keep my redfoot adult indoors. His terranium has a heating pad underneath as well as the reptile bulb/light that overhangs the top. (forgot what kind of bulb it is called...sort of mimics daylight for them).

He is fed every other day or so...typically kale lettuce and/or other dark green lettuces that they prefer. I also give him banana. Sometimes, I give him the freeze dried crickets. Occasionally, I will sprinkle the calcium powder in his water dish & on the food as well.

Oh, and I usually bathe him twice a week to let him soak & poop in the warm water.

I am now noticing that the color on his head looks like it is starting to fade a bit...sort of white. What can I do to keep him healthy & to avoid this?? I am guessing it is something to do with his environment. Would any food given help to avoid this?

Thanks!

Not sure about the color fade, but if you are using a full spectrum bulb only, you should consider a UV light in addition. Otherwise, you may want to consider buying a UVHeat buld like the PowerSun or ActiveUV or Mercury UV Heat. Your tort needs more UV than can be provided with a full spectrum bulb. I have heard a correlation to coloring but know no facts.

Paul

The color fading could well be a indication of dry skin. A clear picture will tell the story better. If you wet the skin and it shows the original color, then it's definitly dry skin. I guess it's dry skin since you keep it indoor.

If it's indeed dry skin, you don't need to worry about it, once the humidity comes back up, the old layer of dry skin will peel off naturally and shows the original color.

Paul's cherry heads have been treated like prince and princess, I don't think they will ever have dry skin on their head.

Joe