Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I will be receiving 2 ,4 in. cherryheads Tuesday morning from Ca. I am in Ohio. What are the recommendations as soon as they arrive? How soon should I try to feed them and any suggestions on what to feed? I am assuming they will be "stressed" and I would like to know what you guys rec.. I was hoping to get supplies from Walk about farms, but no luck so far. I have read a lot on line, but would really appreciate your input. I would like to have them vet-checked by a friend of mine, but it is about an hour drive each way- how soon would you recommend I take them? I am a vet (but just do dogs and cats), so I can run a fecal, but what else would you recommend. If there are parasites, would you deworm them immediately ,or would that potentially cause more gi upset and stress? Thanks for the help. I am sure I will be asking lots of questions- so I appreciate your patience.

Beckys,

You said it.. patience.

Redfoot tortoises are 'tough' guys.. nothing to be concerned about.. in other words give them a chance to 'acclimate'! Cherryheads are just from "a different part of town".. nothing "exotic" about them. Introduce them to their new 'territory'.. let them settle for a couple weeks until their 'system' adjusts.. and treat them the same way you would anyway.. food, soaks, etc.

They wll be O.K. Share pics.. that's the RULES!!!

Love those redfoots.

Terry

I hope you had the enclosure and all that supplies ready when they arrive...

a_do the preliminary vet thing soon they get to your door:
_data record them right away for monitor purpose: this includes name/number, dob (if any are cb),photograph them(top, bottom, side, rear...) , weight,lenght...

b_quarantine/isolate them into each idividual compartment and place the tubs in their enclosure (15 gal plastic tubs with food and water for the first few days) so you can monitor each one's condition and zero in right away should any strange thing occurs, chances are if they already mixed with the colony, anything thing could had passed around,

c_they should be dehydrated from the trip, therefore water is more important than food, soak them right a way in warm water and on daily basis.

d_get all information (foods, when was the last time they got dewormed...ect) from your previous owner if you could but even if he/she an honest person, fecal exams and other precautions steps should be taken promptly (esp. w/wc speciments) since they are NOW your pets...

Is it okay to use tap water? Or should I use a water conditioner? (for bath and drinking) We have city and well water. We use the well for the horses, but it is not chlorinated.
And room temp or a little warmer for the water is okay?
In general do you place the water in the warm end or the cooler end of the enclosure ? Do you see a preference with the tortoises? Thanks. I am sure I will have more questions.

>>Is it okay to use tap water? Or should I use a water conditioner? (for bath and drinking) We have city and well water. We use the well for the horses, but it is not chlorinated.
_as long as they had not been contaminated, you are fine. some folks went further by giving them ONLY "RO" filtered water, try to keep a large bucket of water in or near the enclosure to obtain same temp, and that should take care of those chlorine it'll evaporate overnight

>>And room temp or a little warmer for the water is okay?
_you bet

>>In general do you place the water in the warm end or the cooler end of the enclosure ?
_keep them near the outer/end of your fake uv lamps spectrum/radius, too hot, they'll evaporate quickly, too dark/cold: it's like going to da beach during Halloween... your pet feels spooky, too

Do you see a preference with the tortoises?
_they all different, some seems never want to touch them, some will crawl to the distant when they're thirsty or do the (primate's #2 thingy) your's will have to keep us update

...he will refuses ALL unless it's "Perrier" (from laFrance)

Hi!

If you are going to soak them I would make sure the water is warm. I use tap water and it is just fine. I soak my torts every other day for about ten minutes unless they want out sooner. I also keep fresh water in the pen everyday. We use a lid so it isn't too deep and they can climb into it easier and I don't have to worry about them tipping over. There water is on the warm side of the pen so if they do decide to take a dip it isn't too freezying. Make sure it isn't directly over your lights though just in case a light falls, you don't want it falling into the water. I don't trust the clamp lights so I tie mine on also to make sure it is extra safe. Good luck with the little ones! Have fun!
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Becki

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