Yes, calcium is most critical during the early stages of a tortoise's life. Redfoots are no exception. Make calcium freely available. With hatchlings, I usually leave cuttlebone about so that they may gnaw on it at will. Also, supplement their food with it every other meal. I usually sneak a vitamin supply along with calcium once per week in something attractive, like banana or soaked dry catfood. Redfoots don't eat hay or grass, as they don't have the intestinal fortitude to digest the massive amounts of silica. They will generally eat dandelion leaves, which are typically rich in calcium. Apricot is also naturally rich in calcium. I've also noticed redfoots enjoy prickly pear pads (spineless, ofcourse). My adults pull pads right from the plants in their enclosure. For hatchlings, puree the stuff with some apricot for a sweet, calcium rich treat, then supplement the treat with some RepCal. However, nothing is better at providing calcium than D3 from full spectrum lighting or sunlight. All of these combined should do the trick, lest it's too late.

T.G.

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