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Red Foot Tortoise

Western New York Herpetological Society

www.wnyherp.org

© 2001 - 2002 by Western New York Herpetological Society

 

This document is for guidance only and should not be used as the sole source of information. New information is being developed daily. It is recommended that a concerted effort be made to maintain up-to-date knowledge of the animals of interest.

 

Common Name:

Red Foot Tortoise

 

Latin Name:

Geochelone carbonaria

 

Native to:

Tropical South America

 

Size:

10-14 inches at maturity; males are larger than females of same age.

 

Life Span:

40-50 years

 

General appearance:

Carapace (top part of shell) is black with the center of each scute being yellow. The plastron (bottom part of the shell) is yellow. In mature males the rear of the plastron is concave. There are red scales on the head and legs.

 

Housing requirements:

Enclosure:

Should be tropical, (high humidity). Space requirements should be at least 2 sq. ft. per inch of shell length. A 4 in. youngster would need 8 sq. ft. They need a shallow pan of water approximately ⅓ of their shell height to drink from and soak in. A source of UV light is

recommended.

 

Temperature:

Temperature during the day should be 85°-90°F at one end of the enclosure and 70°-75°F at the other. This can be accomplished with the use of a heat lamp or pad (waterproof).

 

Substrate:

Newspaper, aspen, Cyprus are a few. (But not cedar or pine).

 

Diet:

Their diet consists of vegetables, fruit and some protein. Broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts should be fed sparingly. Protein could consist of earthworms, mealworms, crickets, etc. They should be fed 2-3 times a week, with their food being dusted with a D3 vitamin and calcium. A commercially prepared tortoise food is also a recommended source of food.

 

Maintenance:

Changing the substrate and water when soiled is a must. Handlers are advised to wash their hands thoroughly after handling any reptile or reptile cage furnishings.

 

Other references or recommended reading:

Encyclopedia of turtles: Dr. Peter C. H. Pritchard

 

Turtles of the World: Carl H. Ernst and Roger W. Barbour

 

Encyclopedia of Keeping and Breeding Tortoises and Freshwater turtles: A.C. Highfield

 

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