Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everybody,
I'm just getting back into keeping tortoises and I have this baby (1-2 months) redfoot tortoise that I got about a week ago. He has eaten every day and I soak him regularly since I got him. However, he has yet to produce a bowel movement. I'm not sure if I should be concerned or not so any advice would be appreciated. He is captive bred so I'm not too concerned about parasites.

Thanks in advance,

Alec

Alec,

Sometimes they eat their poop. Soak the little guy each day in warm water and if he's eating regularly you'll see him poop in the water.

Paul

I've been soaking him every day in warm water for about 10 minutes each day, but still nothing.

Thanks,

Alec

i move around alot, and my redfoot goes with me.. everytime i get her to a new place, she'll refuse to go for a while. after one particularly extensive move, i had to soak her for nearly 2 hours before she went. i found that the best overall solution is to have water available at all times til she goes. that, and collard greens'll usually empty her out pretty well too(stinky, stinky..)

alot of animals, when they get to a new situation, will hold off as long as possible expell fluid or solid foodstuffs until they are sure that more will be readily available. just give her plently of greens and water, and soak her till she makes a fuss to get out..

I wouldn't worry too much if he is eating and functioning normally. If he is an eating machine I would almost bet that he is eating it as fast as he is producing it. I have a yellowfoot tortoise that have seen defecate twice in over a year's time. I have a redfoot that I have had for years and have only seen her defecate once in her bath water and on rare occaisons find small bits of her droppings in her pen.