Red-footed Tortoise

Species : Red-footed Tortoise (Geochelone carbonaria )

Description: Red-foot tortoises have red scales on the limbs. Color on the head can range from yellow to orange. There is a smaller phenotype commonly called the 'Cherry head' which, true to the name, has bright red markings on the head.

Distribution: South America and the Caribbean Islands; generally around the perimeter of the Amazon River basin, including Paraguay, Suriname, Colombia, Guyana, Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador; introduced on to many of the islands in the West Indies.

Adult Size: 1' - 1'2" carapax length for male;10" - 1' carapax length for female;reach this size in 15 years;largest in record is 1' 8"

Hatchling Size: approx. 1.5" carapax length

Lifespan : around 50 years

Natural Habitats: Terrestrial; tropical forests

Activitiy Period: Daytime (diurnal);12 - 14 hours each day with direct natural sunlight or UV lamp (e.g. ReptiSun 5.0, UV Heat Bulb)

28 - 30 C -- basking spot (e.g. Basking Spot Lamp)26 - 27 C -- cooler area (e.g. Daylight Blue Bulb)24 - 25 C -- at night (e.g. Nightlight Red Bulb, Infrared Heat Lamp, Ceramic Heat Emitter)

Diet: Herbivorous (plant-eating);Fallen Fruits (specially Plums), Mushrooms, vines, succulents, Grasses, Greens, Flowers, occasionally carrions

Occasioanl Food: Various fruits (e.g. Plums, Peaches, Strawberries, Apples with skin, Kiwi, Starfruits, Papayas, Mangos, Tomatoes, etc), Carrots, Mushrooms, Beans, Peas, Grass, Veggies, Flowers, Dark Leafy Greens (e.g. dandelions, mustards, collards, turnips, kales),

Never Feed On: Very Juicy Fruits, Tomatos, Bananas, Cabbages, Cucumbers, Bok Choy, Iceberg Lettuces, Rhubarbs, Broccoli, etc

Eggs: lays 2 - 4 clutches of 5 - 15 eggs per year

Mating Ages: 4-5 years