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Runny nose

22 16:07:38

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.