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About Jeannie
Expertise
TORTOISE QUESTIONS ONLY. Questions regarding husbandry of Russian tortoises and other Mediterranean species; general tortoise care; box turtle care. If I can't answer a specific question, I can provide sources for further research.
PLEASE NOTE: I AM NOT EXPERIENCED WITH AQUATIC SPECIES (TURTLES). If you ask a question about red-eared sliders or other aquatic species, I won't be able to answer your question other than to give you general information or refer you to other sources.
Experience
I have kept and bred Russian tortoises for over ten years and have other Mediterranean species plus redfoots. Have kept box turtles in the past. I work with other tortoises species at a local rescue, mostly sulcata but some leopards, California desert tortoises, yellowfoots, and box turtles.
Education/Credentials
My knowledge is based on hands-on experience keeping, breeding, and working with tortoises.
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You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Exotic Pets > Turtles > Runny nose
Expert: Jeannie - 11/6/2009
Question
Hi I have a small red foot tortoise who seems to have a runny nose and watery eyes, I'm assuming it has to do with temperature or humidity but I'm not sure. Any ideas?
Answer
Hi Quinn,
I could help more if you give me more information: type and size of enclosure, substrate, type of heat and UVB bulb(s), temperatures in warm and cool area, and diet. Redfoots require a fairly high moisture/humidity enclosure. Watery eyes is an indication that your tortoise is being kept too dry, and very likely that's the cause of the runny nose as well. As long as you don't see any signs of respiratory distress (gaping or "yawning," stretching the neck out, etc.), I would start with increasing humidity and then go from there. I use a mix of cypress mulch and sphagnum moss in the enclosure for my small redfoots. I tilt the enclosure up a few inches so that when I pour water in it will collect at the warmer end and create a warm, boggy area that is very moist. At the cooler end I have an area with dry moss so they can choose where they want to be. Hope this helps--if you want to give me more information or have any questions about setting up your enclosure, please reply back.
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