Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just purchased a 3 mos old redfoot this weekend. He/She is so cute. I did a lot of research on them back in November, but we decided to wait until the weather was warmer before starting with one. I set up his home with a box that is about 3'L x 18"W x 6" D. I put cypress mulch in it. Also have a glass pie plate with water in it. Fed him collard greens, fruit like melon, and turtle show. I put a 75w basking light on one end. I didn't get the UVB bulb yet as I am looking for a small one and all I can find is 24". I dusted his food with Calcium w/D3 that we give our bearded dragon. I am trying to find a book on them, but all they seem to have is tortoise books that apply to all of them. I am beginning to search the internet for information. I do have some questions and would appreciate any advice you guys might have.

1. How often do they eat? I've read some conflicting things. Some say every other day (which doesn't seem enough) and some say he will eat a couple of times a day. He ate this morning and then again this afternoon.
2. What should I feed him. So far (from what I've read), I have given him collard greens, turtle chow and some fruit (which he loved). What is best for them? Does he need any live food. We have crickets that I feed our bearded dragon.
3. The man that I bought him from said he should stay indoors until he gets much bigger (a couple of years). We want to make him a nice area in the yard. Can we make one and enclose the top with wire mesh or something that would protect him and during the day could we let him be outside in the sun? I live in the New Orleans Metro area, so it can get quite hot during the day 95degrees or so.

Please let me know what you think as far as his set up is. Also where I could purchase any books. Sorry for the long message. Thanks , Diane

Hi Diane
question 1, you can feed everyday no problem, make sure you supplement every other day
question 2, Collards greens aren't good as well as kale and spinach try to stay away from those.
Dandelion greens, Romaine, Escarole, Curly endive, Green leaf lettuce and Red leaf lettuce are the things to go with, any fruits and the turtle chow will make a great diet.
question 3, yes you can let him outside during the day as long as it's not above 90.
question about the water dish. Is the top of the water dish flush with the substrate?
and when you get the UVB light make sure its 18 to 24 inches away from the substrate.

The water dish is sitting on the bottom of the box and the mulch is around it, so when he wants to go in it, he has to walk down a about 3/4 of an inch or so to get in it. Is this ok? So I don't need to supplement calcium every day? What about vitamins. I have some that we give our beardie that says it is for reptiles. Would this be ok? Thanks for the information about the veggies. I'm going to the grocery tonight, so I'll get some of the greens you mentioned. Do they make a smaller UVB light other than 24" bulbs or should I get one that big. Thanks, Diane

Check the bean farm or big apple herp (google to find the sites). They both sell "compact" flourescent UVB bulbs. These screw into a normal incandescent style fixture...

-Ian

please expand upon question 2, specifically the kale. why is kale something to stay away from? I was under a different impression, i thought that kale was very nutritious. thanks

kevin

Kale has a good calciumhosphorus ratio, which is what you aim for, but unfortunately it is also high in oxalic acid, which binds calcium, so it can't be taken up. Resulting calcium oxalate will cause kidney stones.
Also, like any member of the cabbage family, kale is high in goitrogens, which can lead to the enlargement (and hyperfunction) of the thyroid.
Thus it is better to stick to dandelion, endive and chicory for greens (with dandelion being the most valuable!).

Gaby

I had typed calcium : phosphorus ratio (without a space...) of course...not used to those smilies...especially not the nasty ones...

Kale as well as any of the cabbage family in addition to spinach is perfectly acceptable for RFs as long as they are part of a varied diet. I can't think of a single grocery green that should be omitted, again, if it is part of a varied diet.

>>please expand upon question 2, specifically the kale. why is kale something to stay away from? I was under a different impression, i thought that kale was very nutritious. thanks
>>
>>kevin
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care