Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a Redfoot that is estimated at being about a year old. I have been feeding his every day and I read on a website that overfeeding can lead to pyramiding. Am I overfeeding my tortoise? and if so, how often should I be feeding him? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I have 3 red foot and 2 dwarf cherry heads. I feed them almost everyday. I tend to feed them like 3 days in a row then skip a day but my torts go out every day when the weathers warm and have fresh timothy hay in front of them at all time so they r eating everyday. I have never had a problem with them pyramiding. I also have a friend who has a pair that are about 20 years old he's had them since a babies. He has always feed them everyday and their shells r very smooth. Hope this helps.\

Casey

I wonder if they take a day off in the wild and don't eat? Kidding of course.

Mine eat as often and as much as they want.. and then they quit. Of course I've had them since hatchlings.. and now they are 11"-12" breeders. I feed mine as much fruit as greens.. (their outside enclosure grows dandelions and tall red clover, etc. - then I'll supplement that with various fruits every 3-4 days and a source of animal protein once a week dowsed with pure Calcium Carbonate powder.. and several water dishes).. and now I've seen growth on hatchlings that is SMOOTH because (and here's the answer) they stay in "green moss" that is almost saturated with water.. in their 'hide'! My Zoo friends are seeing the same results with ALL their tortoise hatchlings!

So.... "we" have come to the conclusion that they seek out a "humid" hiding place to rest (that is dark)!

Probably more than you wanted to know.. Terry

You shouldn't have said that in jest because I have no doubt that they sometimes take days, weeks or even months off from feeding.

>>I wonder if they take a day off in the wild and don't eat? Kidding of course.
>>
>>Mine eat as often and as much as they want.. and then they quit. Of course I've had them since hatchlings.. and now they are 11"-12" breeders. I feed mine as much fruit as greens.. (their outside enclosure grows dandelions and tall red clover, etc. - then I'll supplement that with various fruits every 3-4 days and a source of animal protein once a week dowsed with pure Calcium Carbonate powder.. and several water dishes).. and now I've seen growth on hatchlings that is SMOOTH because (and here's the answer) they stay in "green moss" that is almost saturated with water.. in their 'hide'! My Zoo friends are seeing the same results with ALL their tortoise hatchlings!
>>
>>So.... "we" have come to the conclusion that they seek out a "humid" hiding place to rest (that is dark)!
>>
>>Probably more than you wanted to know.. Terry
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care