Red-foot Tortoise Care Guide

Overview and Link to Care Guide

Red-footed Tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonaria) are medium-sized, omnivorous, tropical tortoises which generally grow between 12-18″ long (straight carapace length), although up to 24″ is possible. They have a rectangular body shape with a highly domed shell, enlarged scales on the legs and tail, a rounded head profile, and large dark eyes. As suggested by their name, Red-footed Tortoises are generally characterized by orange to red scales on their limbs and head, although yellow is also possible. The shell and skin are dark brown, gray, or almost black, with a pale to yellow spot on each scute. The plastron (bottom shell) is typically pale with some kind of dark pattern.

Red-footed Tortoises have a broad native range throughout southern Central America and the northern half of South America east of the Andes mountain range. As a result, they can be found in a variety of habitats, including rainforest, temperate forest, dry forest, and savanna.

If you pay attention to providing excellent red-footed tortoise care, this pet may well live 50 years or longer, so plan accordingly!

Please review *Habitat Requirements for Large Tortoises*.

Read over two Reptile Lighting Guidelines, one and two.