Hi all this is my first post in this section. Ive had the idea of geting a tortoise buzzing around in my head for a couple of years now, and have just started doing a bit of readin up, i like the idea of a red foot but have a couple of questions on housing. First of all in the colder months would it be allright if the tort had the run of the reptile room? if i put heat lamps ect in strategic places and planted it well (the reptile room is all ways nice and warm even in winter.)
or would it be better in a big viv for the colder months, another big viv would mean id have to maybe rethink the idea.

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My Reptiles1.0.0 Royal Pythons0.1.0 Cali King Snake1.1.0 Reticulated Pythons0.1.1 Bci0.1.0 False Water Cobra 0.0.1 Western Hognose 1.1.0 Leopard Geckos 0.0.2 Asain Foam Nest Frogs 0.0.1 Emp Scorpian 0.0.1 Painted Bull Frog 0.1.0 White Stripped Bird Eater 0.1.1 Golden Flying Snake 0.0.1 Costal x Jungle Carpet Python 0.0.1 Tiger Retic 0.0.1 Vawny

Hi, Red Foots rock. I have one. They are inquisitive blighters. Mines trying to open the kitchen door as we speak lol.
As long as you have nice constant temperatures (Around 90 during the day) your tort will be fine. During the evening no lower than 75 ideally.
I did have a viv, but I turned it into a tort table. It made my tort ill. You will meet the whole tort table vs viv argument on here at somepoint. Some say vivs are fine, others say not. Ive had both, and I say tort table (Well, mine is a viv with the lid removed)
Beleive it or not, it kept the temperatures better and the humidity more constant within a lid. I use a thermostat with a 100w cermaic bulb and a uv 10.0 tube. This keeps Balders happy. When ever I can she has the free roam of the downstairs. They need constant access to water (like all torts) They like to bathe and drink.
If given the run of the reptile room, you would probably only need one heat source that your tort can go to. She will remember where it is and if she is cold will make her way back. They do like to have a little dig when going to sleep, so this could be something to bear in mind.
Other random info:
Food is a tricky subject, you will also meet the weeds vs pet food debate. Again, im right down the middle I use both. I prefer weeds but top up with some T-Rex Tortoise diet.
If you have a garden dont kill your weeds, its free food for your prospective tort. Always handy. They like fruit (Apart from mine, she's a fussy buggar) berries etc. They also need some protien. I gave Balders a prawn once a week.
Hope this helps :o)
Welcome!

Lee

Redfoots are one of the best and easiest tortoises to keep.

You can keep it in a viv depending on the size of the tortoise and the variety you have. This will make it easier to keep during the cooler months.

Some of them can get to over 18 inches SCL but average about 12 inches.

The more commonly available... currently... are those coming out of Brizil and are called Cherryhead redfoots. They tend to average out at a smaller size.

Ed

Thank you guys very much for the replys yeah this sounds like somthing i may persue after ive got a couple of projects in the rep room finished.
No for the painfull bit im off to look up prices for lol

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My Reptiles1.0.0 Royal Pythons0.1.0 Cali King Snake1.1.0 Reticulated Pythons0.1.1 Bci0.1.0 False Water Cobra 0.0.1 Western Hognose 1.1.0 Leopard Geckos 0.0.2 Asain Foam Nest Frogs 0.0.1 Emp Scorpian 0.0.1 Painted Bull Frog 0.1.0 White Stripped Bird Eater 0.1.1 Golden Flying Snake 0.0.1 Costal x Jungle Carpet Python 0.0.1 Tiger Retic 0.0.1 Vawny

Hi

It would depend on the size of the tortoise. If its big and sturdy then free run is fine in the reptile room. If you get a little one to grow on then you'd want a tub/table like Sarah has posted previously for her babies. Would be fine on the floor of the rep room. If you want to make yourself jealous, hunt out terryo's redfoot set up. What are you planning for the floor/substrate? You might want a viv/table with escape hatch option so you can keep the mucky bit conatined but let the tortoise have extra roaming space.

My adults have a door so they can wander round the kitchen (weather not good) or get into and out of the garden (nice weather).

You've got a rep room so I don't need to tell you about heat and light and other stuff.

Redfoots are awesome i have a Redfoot and a Cherryhead Redfoot... what i would definately recommend is when going to buy perhaps see if the shop can reserve one then go to look at it for a couple of days before taking the plunge as Arnie is a right moody madam and Clark is a real character...

As stated, very easy to feed just be careful not to over feed them on mice (as the previous owner did with Clark).

They are great pets and with them being of a tropical origin never hibernate. All i would add as well is ensure their viv is kept interesting (as mine for the moment are bored as i need to get a bigger viv within the next few months).