Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Anyone have any experience breeding Red Foots? I am in South Florida and have 2.3 in an outdoor enclosure (20ft x 10ft). Just looking for some feedback.

Yes. what exactly do you need to know?
Southampton Herps

Looking for any helpful info on enclosures. Things like type of plants if any in the enclosure; hiding places; watering holes. Things to avoid. Any helpful hints to ensure sucessful breeding. Type of foods given.

Make it as large as you have room for. Tall enough so they can't climb out. I've seen one get on the back of another to try and get out. Bury the wall a small amount to keep them from digging out. I've never seen one do this but I still think it's a good idea. Divide the enclosure so you can isolate the males from the females. I would isolate the males during the winter months. Isolation seems to make the males respond better to breeding. Keep plants to a minimum but do provide a shady area. If you can get Dandelions growing in there that's great they love them. I use a sweater box for a watering dish. I bury it up to the rim and I put a brick in it at each end to make it easier for them to get out if the fall in. I feed mine a diet of 50% pellet diet, 30% leafy greens (mostly Collards, no Spinach)20% fruits and other vegetables. I also supplement every meal with Osteoform with D3. Speaking of Osteoform I know a Vet. who has kept a large colony of Redfoots a Leopards in his basement with no UV light for 20 years and has never had a case of metobolic bone disease. His colony produces large amounts of hatchlings every year with no health problems. He attributes their health to Osteoform. Buy the way I'm not indorsing you don't give your tortioses UV light, I recommend you do, mine stay outside during the warm months of the year. Osteoform is good stuff IMO. Don't expect overnight success. It took me six years to get mine to start producing fertile eggs (it's not like breeding snakes). It may be easier for you in South Florida since you can probably leave them outside year round. Redfoots don't like the temperature below 50 degrees F. you'll need to provide them a place to stay warm if the temp. gets below that. Once you see or hear breeding activity (they make a clucking noise when breeding) be on the lookout for egg lay signs. The female will become listless and start prowling the edge of the wall. She may or may not stop eating. She will stop every now and then and smell the ground. She may dig several test holes. Mine normally lay in the evening, the process takes several hours. Mark the holes when you see them laying or you may not find them again, they are very good at hiding their nests. I wish you success, out of all the herps I keep Redfoots have been the most rewarding. They are the only ones that have names. Feel free to ask if you have more questions.
Southampton Herps

Thanks for the info. Mine are attempting to breed right now. Any tips on incubation?

I incubate mine in moist vermiculite @ 85 degrees F.
Southampton Herps