I purchased a baby red footed tortoise about 40 days. He is about 3" in Diameter. He has a UVB light and a heat light for basking and temps range from 74-84 throughout the whole enclosure but ovbiously hotter in basking areas. My problem is I feed him daily a mixture of different fruits have tried pretty much everything. I never see him eat and am worried but I figure hes been alive this long so he must be eating something right? Also when I pick him up the bottom of his shell is soft and not hard. Should I be somehow force feeding him some food sprinkled with calcium or giving him water/calcium. I dont know how I would do this as hes so small. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. He has a very large water dish that he likes to spend a good amount of his time in. Thanks for any advice
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red foot help PLEASE!
Replies (9)
Are there any dark greens in his diet? 60% of his diet should be in the form kale, romaine, clover, dandelions, etc.
A form of protein and calcium is vital also.
Contact me directly.. I'll be glad to help any way I can.
You gotta love 'em!
Terry
Did you have it checked out by a vet? Did yo have a fecal exam done?
Many of these RFs are 'farm raised' and do carry parasites. Even CB RFs have been know to harbor parasites. This seems to effect the kidney which seems to invariably effect calcium intake.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care
... the humidity range and habitat (substrates) that he's in
He is living on a cedar woodchip bedding and humidity is moderate. I give his enclousre a good misting down about 2-5 times a day.
cedar shouldn't be used as a substrate...it lets off toxic fumes. Try pine or even bed-a-beast. My redfoot loves a mixture of bed-a-beast, pine chips and soil (makes for an interesting looking deal!)
no cedar. i'd even avoid the pine and use aspen if you have to use wood at all. bed-a-beast is great for RFs. it'll help keep the humidity up.
matt
...try to make an effort and move this bambino outdoor if weather permit, animals are happier away from stagnant air and fake sun rays.
but on top of all: a trip to the vet is still your best bet before it's too late
alright thanks alot for you help and advice, yes this is an indoor setup as I live in MIchigan and its cold out.
...cheer up and hope your baby get well soon 
