Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm new to the tortoise forum, but I'm ready to make the leap into tortoise ownership and was looking for peer advice.

I live in South Florida, and after much research on different tortoise species and reading through much of Paull's tortoise series books, I've decided to look for a pair of CBB redfoots. Does anyone have any good references for tortoise breeders that could supply me with a pair. I can find tons of chondro/ball python and leopard gecko breeders if I needed, but tortoise breeders seem to be another story.

Also, as far as nutrition goes, I wanted to try to feed as natural and complete a diet as possible (fresh greens/veggies/fruit with supplementation). I am leaning towards Walkabout farms Forest Tortoise supplementation. Does anyone have anything to add about diet or supplementation choices - good or bad.

I appreciate any info. anyone may have. I'm looking forward to giving my new critters a great new home.

A large part of the reason you can't find cb 'pairs' of redfoots (or any other tortoise) is because sexing them at hatching can't be done. And, most breeders are not going to sell their adults as, well, they are the breeders! Lastly, most breeders are not going to raise the young to a sexable size to sell them as that would be time/cost prohibitive.
There are a number of importers who offer very pretty, though wc adults and subadults though and after being treated for parasites, etc. most of these animals thrive.
I have never heard of or used Walkabout Farms suppliments but frankly, I rarely use any supplements anyway. When I do, I just use calcium powder (calcium lactate) from a health food store. It is WAYYYYYY cheaper than the commercially offered reptile calciums. I have used Rep-Cal calcium in the past though I no longer would since it is made from crushed oyster shells.
I have a vet friend who told me that oyster shell is not a good source of calcium since oysters are filter feeders and studies have shown that they store heavy (= toxic) metals in their shell.
Anyway, if you are in south Florida and have access to unsprayed hibiscus and other suitable foliage that is a good start. Good quality greens from the grocery store are also good.
In addition, I grow my own collards, bananas, papayas and other stuff for my redfoots. I also occasionally use Mazuri tortoise chow mixed in with other foods.

Good point about the oyster shell. It is risky as a calcium source. Bird keepers have known about that for some time.

I have just recently stopped using cuttlefish bone as a calcium source for my redfoots, because somebody on the redfoot forum had mentioned, that it could contain substances toxic to the torts. Most probably for that very same reason.
I have since used Repcal plus vitamin D only, eventough I am always a bit uncertain about the dosing, as I do not want to give them a vitamin D overdose.
The problem with using calcium carbonate or lactate alone is, that I can't be sure then, if they have enough vitamin D.
Here in Canada they have to spend the good part of the year inside, and even tough I have UVB bulbs I wonder, to which degree this is helpful, as my babies still spend most of their time digged into their hide places.
Has anybody thoughts or recommendations on this?

Gaby

I too use calcium w/ d3 if housed inside even w/ the uvb. For outside, you should use calcium w/ no d3. I use re-cal w/ and w/out d3 as well.

Jesse