Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I bought a 12 " redfoot through the classified section. Due to a problem with the shipper, he was stuck in transit for 4 days. As soon as he arrived, I soaked him in lukewarm water as directed by the seller. I have been trying to tempt him with romaine lettuce, dandelion, hibiscus, flowers and leaves, vitakraft tortoise food and starfruit (all to the benefit of my female redfoot since she has been pigging out). I am at a loss on what else to offer him. He seems very healty otherwise. He is drinking a ton of water everyday. He is also very shy. I live in West Palm Beach and they live outside on my huge patio (approx. 18'x18'). They are getting along well, she will wander around during the day and eventually end up next to him. He just paces along the edge. I understand that he is still adjusting but I am worried about the lack of eating. They have access to water, shade, sun, and dirt. It is usually about 85-90 degrees and about 80-90 percent humidity here. A cold front came through last night so today is about 80 degrees. How long can he go without food? Any suggestions on getting him to eat? Thanks and sorry for the long post.

Allegra

We have left him alone to get aclimated on his own, but the lack of eating has me worried. Thanks.

Allegra

The best advice you are going to get is... have a little patience.

Each time these guys get moved or their environment is changed it really seems to freak them out. It also seems that the older and larger the animal the longer it takes them to acclimate.

For a 12 inch RF, I'd say it can take weeks, if at all if it is a WC animal... which it probably is. If it is not WC it should acclimate quicker.

Give it plenty of secure hiding spots but continue soaking it daily or every other day. Try and make this as least traumatic as possible.

Also try and get it to trust you. When ever you have to pick it up do it slowly and gently. Try to startle it as little as possible.

For foods try Strawberries or any red fruit you can find (I'm sure you can find the strawberries frozen) Then try carrots and then go to the yellow fruits and veggies. Then there is the Mazuri tortoise diet. Most RFs that I've encountered love the stuff and it is very nutritious.

Soon as you get a fecal, get it to the vet to check for parasites.

As long as you don't see any signs of sickness (runny nose, sunken eyes...) you can just sit back and wait. Mess with it as little as possible.
-----
Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Ed is right....Patience and fecal is all you can do right now. I had a nice trio of redfoots once and all they wanted to do was bury themselves in leaf litter. I'd also try a little banana just to jump start feeding also.......patience, patience, patience.......

good luck,
Barry

...are you saying he just got there after that 4-day-trip and is partying with your girl already? aren't you aware of disease this guy might offer such as ... RNS and BLAH,BLAH,BLAH...all that combined to the equivalent of A-I-D-S (in primates terms...)

I'm with you ecoman.

I don't care if you have 10 years of monthly pics with circles, arrows, dates and diagrams on the back.. documenting pip to yesterdays' feeding.. quarantine a minimum of 30 days.. (DISCLAIMER - less risk of foreign "bugs" with 'like' species).. to give them an opportunity to acclimate to everything!!!!!!!

What do you think I meant when I posted awhile back that the new trio of redfoots has acclimated now.. after almost 90 days or so.. and is settled in and breeding! And they 'reportedly' had been together in captivity for five years. (The attached was AFTER being introduced to existing group in late JUNE.. note date)

I am NOT being rude.. I am trying to make a point!

It blesses me to see more and more committing to research before acquiring new or first time tortoises.

You gotta love 'em!

Terry

Still trying to figure posting on this forum... Terry

...can't you teach them another trick...or a diff pose perhaps...

btw...ever wonder why them RFs looking so grumpy while you do away their HankyPanky pictures? next time if you listen real carefully, you could almost hear them yelled:" ...get your papparazzi lens outta my thingy..." The disadvantage is you have to learn PORTUGEESE pronto...and i'm (VERY) serious

' U gotta love dis !"
(agggh, c'ommon for God's sake, loosen up your jaw muscle a lil' will ya... have a good dose of dis funny pils it's good for you (and those who lookin @ you)

>>I'm with you ecoman...
(huh???....sorry dear, but i can not be with you on this one)

...how coud you "not care" when I spent my 10 (young turtles?) years sweating them "HAPPY SPOTTIES" for a so called clemmyhead like you who could only related to them in so far as "circles"...i'm still not sure due to your old (primate) age, colorblind (in da FACE) or seeing too much red (in da FOOT) but you sounds so "unclemmys" after all, perhaps "carbornanaman" or "clemmysmucusman" might be a more suitable title from this day and age?...just my hard-earned-HAPPY two "circles"

..that's what I was agreeing with ecoman!

Have a look at some of the Alpha's.. sub's.. and '05 breeders in the link.. (my partial breeding colony). Why I call myself clemmysman.

And yes...

You gotta love 'em!

Terry
clemmysman

...compare to mine's

...and they still can't do (spinning) tricks like this

Compared to this HUGE SC male.. they're all small.

Compared to these '97 & '98 CBB MI males they're the right size.. (shown with a '00 CBB female).. which have been 'entertaining' all the harem.. even the Matriarch!

Interesting.. the size difference between SC and MI.

We've shown you ours' ecoman.. let's see yours??

You gotta.... Terry
compare spots here

...and if ya still in da mud, perhaps its time for a new prescription from ya eye doc ay (said ye turtle)...

The '05 'hatching season'.. will certainly tell the tale.. won't it???

You (still) gotta love 'em!

Terry

Thanks for all the advise, about quarantining...what's that saying..something about a barn door. I admit I made a big boo boo on not quarantinig, but I am learning everyday. Thanks again for all the help.

Allegra