How to Care for Red-Toed Tortoises

If you are a first time tortoise keeper, the red-foot tortoise may be an apt pet for you. This is a hardy animal and if you look after it well, you will have a pet for the rest of your life. Usually, a hatchling will grow to around 14 inches (35 cm) in length, but at times it can grow more than 16 inches. You can easily keep the tortoise indoors if you live in a place that is cold most of the year.

Things You'll Need

  • Turtle table
  • Shallow pan
  • 100 watt spot lamp
  • UVB lighting
  • Cypress mulch
  • Food bowl
  • Water bowl
  • Green leafy vegetables
  • Fruits
  • Commercial tortoise food
  • Earthworms
  • Calcium powder
  • Vitamin D3
  • Low-fat dog food
  • Reptile cage cleaner
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Instructions

    • 1

      House the red-foot tortoise in an appropriate size turtle table. For a hatchling, the size of the turtle table should around 2 by 3 feet, and for an adult the correct size is a minimum of 6 by 4 feet. Keep increasing the size of the enclosure as the hatchling grows.

    • 2

      Spread cypress mulch on the floor of the housing, so that the humidity of the enclosure is maintained. This will keep the skin and shell of the tortoise moist and healthy.

    • 3

      Set aside one part of the enclosure to hold water in a shallow tray. The water should be sufficient for the tortoise to soak in, but not to drown. Also, the tortoise should be able to get in and out of the tray without difficulty.

    • 4

      Install a 100-watt spot lamp to create a basking area in the enclosure. Ensure that the lamp creates a temperature of around 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, fix UVB lighting in the enclosure, so that the tortoise can synthesize sufficient vitamin D3 to metabolize calcium and maintain a strong shell.

    • 5

      Set up a hide box away from the basking area, so that the tortoise can hide inside if it is looking for a cool and dim resting place.

    • 6

      Feed the tortoise a mix of green leafy vegetables, such as endives, dandelion greens, kale, spinach, collard greens and mustard greens, fruits and commercial tortoise food every day. Feed low-fat dog food every two weeks. At times, you can even feed your pet reptile a couple of earthworms.

    • 7

      Sprinkle calcium powder and vitamin D3 on the food once a week to ensure that the tortoise does not suffer from calcium deficiency.

    • 8

      Remove uneaten food every day, while you can clean feces three to four times a week. Change the entire substrate in the tank once a month to prevent bacterial and mold growths. Wipe the inside of the enclosure with a reptile cage cleaner, which is available in most pet stores.