Brand new Turtle mommy...Help!

[mom22darlings]

My husband got my daughter a Russian a few weeks ago, and I have found plenty of info on it...he is living outside in a pin we built for him...and loving life.  But then my daughter decided the baby needed a turtle (I am 5 months preggo), we couldn't find another russian so we got a Redfoot...and I am not finding much helpful info.  It is about 8 weeks old, the guy I got him from breeds them.  He basically told me I could keep it in an aquarium, just to use a good substrate to keep it humid in there.  Well, I am using that eco stuff that you buy in a brick and add water...it isn't staying moist.  it keeps drying out.  Can I spray it??  Also, can I build an outdoor pin for the redfoot and keep it outside year round ( I live in SC) as well??  Any help would be greatly appreciated!  I know I should have done the research on this type of turtle prior to purchasing it, but when your daughter wants to get something for the baby...it's hard to say no!

[Jenn]

hello and welcome,
congrats on your new torts.
Heres a great site that has a lot of info, http://redfoottortoise.com/

[mom22darlings]

Thanks for the site...but any info on what I can do to help keep the substrate moist??

[Jenn]

I have a 3 year old box turtle,For substrate I use coir and play sand mixed with sphagnum moss.
I Use a pitcher of water and add water to the substrate when needed.I stir it up every other day.

[mom22darlings]

Thanks...I was wondering if it was safe to continue to add water to it!

[KQ6AR]

Just to let you know the environment for a russian & redfoot are different.

[Joe H]

Hi mom22
Welcome to the group !

I'm in Columbia SC. http://redfoottortoise.com is my site.

Redfoots love moisture. With my neonates I use long strand sphagnum moss. I keep it very moist.

But since you already have coir, Soak it down at least once a week

[mom22darlings]

Joe...do you keep yours inside year round??  Or do you have some pictures of how you keep them?  I have a sun porch that my husband and I are thinking of setting up homes for the turtles for something year round.  Since the Redfoots are tropical...should I set up a more terrarium type home for them?  Since you are just an hour away from me, the climates are pretty similar!  Thanks!

[Joe H]

Mine are outside year round. For the few exceptions I use the Rubbermade bins
http://russiantortoise.org/care_sheet.htm

[scrappy]

I concur, sphagnum is great moisture retaining substrate. But might have gotten more attention if posted in the russian tortoise section of the site