Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here are the questions:

1. Does anyone use a humidifier? I see humidifiers offered with either a cool mist or a warm mist option. I would guess the warm mist would be better for my redfoot? I keep my redfoots on carpet and I am using a fogger to increase humidity right now. Some of the humidifiers on the market have digital controls that allow you to set a certain humidity level. Anyone know anything about these? These humidifiers claim they supply mold and bacteria free moisture.

2. How are blueberries for redfoots? I have some organic blueberry bushes growing on the property. Are the berries good for them? Are the leaves good to feed them?

3. A recent tortoise I purchased occasionally makes a loud click sound from its mouth or jaw? This guy is under quarantee until I understand what this is. I don't want my other torts getting sick. What are the possible reasons for a clicking sound?

Thank You VERY MUCH!!!

Humidifiers:
First, "on carpet". Does that mean they have the run of a small room or your enclosure has carpet as the substrate. If it's in an enclosure I'd suggest either cypress mulch or bed-a-beast with a moss layer on top. Both of those options retain humidity very well and are inert materials so they won't become a magnet for all the crap that carpet will over time. I use the Big Apple Herp misting system in our indoor enclosure and it runs 9 times a day for a minute. Humidity never drops below 80% over the 2/3 of the pen I keep "forest-like". Stays around 50% on the 1/3 "savannah" side.

If it's a small room you have them in then go with a warm mist humidifier. Use distilled water (never said tort keeping was for the faint of wallet) and you should reduce most mold issues.

Blueberries:
They love'em and they're good for them...in moderation. Leaves are fine too, same goes for strawberries and raspberries.

Clicking sound:
Ours click every now and then too. Usually after eating and it seems like the upper and lower plates click against each other. Unless it's a continual clicking I wouldn't worry about it too much as long as it is acting like a normal Redfoot.... then again what IS normal for a RF.