Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just acquired a 6 inch wild caught redfoot. I received it this morning and is currently in his hiding spot in his enclosure. He has not come out to eat, bask, bathe, etc. since this morning and it is now 11pm. Is this normal behavior from a wild-caught? Does he have to get acclimated a couple days. Are they less friendly than a captive-raised redfoot? Thanks for your help.

A wild caught ANYTHING is not going to be too friendly. I got mine when it was a hatchling over a year ago, and it still only comes out in the AM to eat, drink, walk around a bit and then goes into his hide until the late afternoon and does the same thing all over again. Then he goes into his hide, and that's it until tomorrow when he does the same thing. Give his some time to get used to his new environment. That seems so sad to me. Why didn't you get one that was captive born?

I was considering a captive-born, but when I saw pics of the wild-caights, I feel in love with how perfect shaped they seemed. The one I have is very shy and only comes out to eat, that's it. No bathing, no walking around, no nothing. He's just in his hiding spot and does not come out unless I physically take him out to eat. And he does eat. Then goes back to his hiding spot. I have to admit that you're right. It is a sad sight.

Your're experiencing what any Redfoot will do in a new environment. Give it a week or two, and it'll be following you around begging for food. The fact that it's wild caught has no bearing on the behavoirs your seeing.
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South Central Herpetological

So, let me get this clear...a captive born and a wild-caught redfoot, both can acclimate and get use to their new environment overtime? Kind of like a blue & gold macaw, which can adapt to a new environment no matter how old it is? (and both animals are from South America). I sure hope so, because my new redfoot is a beauty of a tort, perfect color, carapace and size. I will definitely try my best to give it the correct husbandry so he can adapt well and become friendly.

It's a new environment thing. I've kept MANY wild caught Redfoots, they'll avoid you for a week or two, but they realize you bring the food and will establish a routine around it. No different than any captive bred Redfoot I've kept
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South Central Herpetological

It boggles my mind why people buy wc when there are so many cb animals on the market. I just don't understand the need to take from the wild for animals like this that are so readily available here in the States...

Carole
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www.reptilecare.com

Well, look at it this way...in the wild, this redfoot could've been chow for a predator: a cougar, snake, even man, or fall of a cliff. I know noting can beat a habitat in nature, but I can tell you this much, he will, in most probability, live longer and to some extent, better. At least that's what I am working on. So, please, don't boggle-boggle yourself.

See how they are 'baby'!

TerryO explained the typical character of a redfoot.. anything else is NOT healthy. All of that light [ UVB ] and "no animal protein" diet is "out-of-character" for them. See the link in my signature.
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Terry E. Kilgore
Turtletary.com