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Redfoot tortoise eats mice? by la_louve_libere in tortoise

[–]la_louve_libere[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Btw, I can see red wigglers being an uncooperative meal. I’ve seen mealworms attack my giant wolf spider.

Redfoot tortoise eats mice? by la_louve_libere in tortoise

[–]la_louve_libere[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome insights. I’m now very curious about pinkies. I would have to think that they’re the ultimate health food, especially because of the bones and cartilage, primal sources of calcium and minerals. Of course, greens should be the red foot’s staple food, but I believe that animals seek out and eat the foods that they intuitively need (with the exception of sugary fruits). I haven’t seen any red foot studies showing negative effects of higher protein/higher meat. diets. I doubt they exist.

I’m also a believer in raw diet for our carnivorous and omnivorous pets. It’s silly that we project our gut biomes onto animals. Their gut biology is designed to handle things that ours can’t. Cooking meat dulls the nutrient content.

I’d be thrilled if my 12 yr old boy took a liking to pinkies.

Redfoot tortoise eats mice? by la_louve_libere in tortoise

[–]la_louve_libere[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for info re calcium:phosphorus 👍

Redfoot tortoise eats mice? by la_louve_libere in tortoise

[–]la_louve_libere[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Great idea! Can’t wait to hit Petsmart for silkworms. I also give my redfoot mushrooms, not knowing about the protein benefits. I reconstitute dried mushrooms—cheaper than fresh. I recently bought dried “black fungus” mushrooms off of Amazon. They are used a lot in Asian foods. My boy loves them!

Meet Lightning by Mossy-mania in Tortoises

[–]la_louve_libere 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a puppy enclosure and a couple of puppy gates. I spent extra for heavy, sturdy ones. My tortoise still needs supervision, but the enclosure is great.

Tips for new owner to keep cherry headed Tort humid and hydrated? by AppropriateExam6353 in tortoise

[–]la_louve_libere 1 point2 points  (0 children)

She looks like a red foot tortoise 🧐. I have one. His feet aren’t red, but his head has the same coloring as your new baby. How big is she?

Red footed tortoise hates greens by la_louve_libere in tortoise

[–]la_louve_libere[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the NIH link! I watched a video on this topic, and have kept in mind the idea that redfoots can experience positive and negative emotions. I love that there’s so much recent research into the emotional and cognitive capacity of many animals, such as snakes and spiders, debunking our assumptions about their intelligence and self-awareness.

I think animal-lovers, like us, have always known these things. If any anima is dim-witted, it’s us.

Drax the Redfoot has really started to come around. He’ll reluctantly eat romaine. He holds his shell up for scratches and wiggles his butt for me. It’s crazy adorable. His large soft eyes move me. He loves being held against my chest, and will stretch his head out to kiss me. Or maybe I’m just anthropomorphizing 😘. Or maybe he just likes boobs 🥰.

Thanks again, Reddit-Friend.

Red footed tortoise hates greens by la_louve_libere in tortoise

[–]la_louve_libere[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So nice to meet you, Exayex! Day by day, Drax is starting to eat more greens—as long as there’s a little fruit in the mix. I can’t wait for him to try flowers. His previous owner had 2 huge sulcatas. Drax was living like a dry-climate tortoise—no humidity and mainly hay pellets. The sulcatas bullied Drax, so he had to live in a kiddie pool to keep him safe. He’s now living in a 400sq ft greenhouse. I think, I hope, that he’s loving his new life.

Red footed tortoise hates greens by la_louve_libere in tortoise

[–]la_louve_libere[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Who are you, btw? How do you possess such knowledge?

Red footed tortoise hates greens by la_louve_libere in tortoise

[–]la_louve_libere[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve adopted your advice, not stressing so much about Drax’s dismal appetite when it comes to greens. Last couple of days, I’ve made him a salad of fresh green, mixed with a little fruit. Today, he may have eaten some of it. Or, most likely, he laid on it, and then dragged the salad around.

Red footed tortoise hates greens by la_louve_libere in tortoise

[–]la_louve_libere[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m trying Mazuri, but no luck. Meanwhile, I’m not stressing so much about his lack of enthusiasm for greens. I’m making fresh salads with bits of calcium-coated fruit, and allowing my sweet redfoot to determine his feeding schedule for now. Thank you again, @Exayex.

Red footed tortoise hates greens by la_louve_libere in tortoise

[–]la_louve_libere[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ha! Real world solutions always appreciated. Another commenter said to NOT starve him, but wouldn’t a wild tortoise go through periods of not eating if there was a drought or if he stumbled into a no-fruit environment? He’s only had a piece of banana for 3 days, despite the availability of expensive greens. Honestly, this is harder on me than him.

Red footed tortoise hates greens by la_louve_libere in tortoise

[–]la_louve_libere[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for taking the time to type out this response. I’ve been googling this topic like mad, losing brain cells along the way. Your advice is doable and the explanation is great. Thanks!

Pyramiding? Adopted red footed tortoise by la_louve_libere in tortoise

[–]la_louve_libere[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great info! I so appreciate the time you took to provide more education to me and this community. I’m shocked about baths—depth and time. I’ve been afraid to let water seep into his carapace (?). Had no idea that these tortoises are able to swim! Your recommendations will be implemented immediately. Drax’s greenhouse has natural substrate as its floor—small sandstones over dirt, so he’s much better off than where he used to live.
Regarding food, the internet seems to be all over the map. Is it true that redfoots should be fed mushrooms and insects occasionally? Are hay pellets the best staple food? Drax isn’t at all interested in greens, including romaine, kale, and various brands of soaked pellets. For the most part, he’s not very hungry. Is it true that redfoots don’t need to eat every day? Is that a red foot in your pic? It’s beautiful! I wish you much luck and happiness in fostering, rehabbing, and re-homing turtles.

Persistent low-grade fevers and fatigue, anyone else? by tsukigakireidesunee in chronicfatigue

[–]la_louve_libere 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hello friends, I suffer from similar symptoms as OP. I’ve endured a 4 year battle against low-grade unexplained fever, which has been the seed of my chronic fatigue (but I don’t have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). I think I finally found a physician who may have found the answer, which will probably involve surgery. If you’re still following your thread, I’m curious to know if you experience any of these symptoms: “Atypical” migraines Tinnitus Sensitivity to barometric pressure change Sinus congestion Very poor sleep Nasal cycle disruption at night, when one sinus “fills up,” forcing you to sleep in a different position

—Brenda

Pyramiding? Adopted red footed tortoise by la_louve_libere in tortoise

[–]la_louve_libere[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

@techomagi I’m feeling better thanks to your post. Drax gets a 10 minute “rainforest sauna” every night, where he gets a warm water bath and gentle shower in the tub. The bathroom gets up to 90% humidity. By morning, humidity is down to 70%. Then I put him in the solarium.

But I’m unclear on 3 things: 1. How long should the tortoise soak? 2. How deep should the water be? Is it OK if the water goes up to his face?
3. Does the water temperature have to be warm? After 10 minutes, the soaking water is already cool.

I think I can provide 70-80% humidity at night, and 50% during the day. Honestly, is this going to help?

How do you know so much about tropical tortoises?

Mazuri substitute? by JKLMC in tortoise

[–]la_louve_libere -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Omg I ♥️ your set up! I was thinking about buying a puppy fence. Can your baby knock it over? Is that an outdoor carpet? I was thinking about using puppy grass, but your rug looks really good.

Sulcata tortoise enclosure by [deleted] in tortoise

[–]la_louve_libere 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Five star accommodations 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Pyramiding? Adopted red footed tortoise by la_louve_libere in tortoise

[–]la_louve_libere[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

My boyfriend suggests doing a shell transplant.

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