REDFOOT UVB.. Speculation! READ THIS

[Turtletary]

After speaking with 2 (not well-known) HERP friends of mine yesterday.. we have come up with a speculation about Redfoot tortoises.

Allow me to mention first:

These friends have hatched well over 150 G. elegans.. Indian Star tortoises.

Have successfully established the "Incubation Procedure" for 'Flat-tail' tortoises..



..which requires a "cool-down" period of 5-6 weeks and then returned to needed temps for another 8 MONTHS or so.. (the FIRST in the U.S. to accomplish) and is currently incubating Platynota (Burmese Star) eggs.
I suspect that we might be able to rely on "our" speculation!

We have come to the conclusion that maybe.. just maybe.. redfoot tortoises don't need D3 derived from UVB - the sun! Or at least not that much of it. Keep in mind the intensity of the sun on the Northern 2/3 of the South American continent.. where "most" redfoot tortoises are native to.

Terry

[Jim Floyd]

The same "cool-down" process is used for G. radiata, not surprising since it hails from Madagascar as does the "flat tail."

Since trying the recommendations provided here on hatchling care, and personal observation on my other redfoots, I agree that G. carbonaria requires very little exposure to sunlight.

Jim Floyd

[Turtletary]

A friend of a friend has had 6 G. carbonaria on their property (surrounded by woods) in Venezuela.. for well over 10 years. No hatchlings have ever been seen.. although breeding and nesting has been observed!

Occasionally a 5" juvenile will appear.............. where have they been???

Terry