Red Foot Tortoise
(Geochelone cabonaria)

The red foot tortoise comes from the tropical regions of South America and can reach lengths of 10 to 14 inches at maturity. Male red foot tortoises tend to be slightly larger that females. There are red scales on the head and legs. The carapace is black with the center of each scute being yellow and yhe plastron of the red foot tortoise is yellow. In mature male red foot tortoises the rear of the plastron is concave.

Difficulty

MODERATE: While red foot tortoises have a great temperment, their caging and lighting requirements make them challanging for new tortoise keepers.

Requirements

An enclosure, such as:

• Custom constructed enclosure

Substrate, such as:

• Sand/Soil mix

A heating element, such as:

• UV producing bulb
• Under the tank heater
• Incandescent heat bulb
• Ceramic infrared heat emitters

Enclosure

Because of the size of the red foot tortoise, you will need to build a custom enclosure. If you live in a region that is warm enough, the enclosure can be built outside and they can live outside all year round. A shelter with a ramp should be provided for these outdoor enclosures. When housed outdoors, fencing should extend at least two feet underground. If you live in a region with cold winters, an adult red foot tortoise will need at least two square feet of enclosure for every inch of shell length. If the red foot tortoise does not get enough room to exercise the tortoise may lose muscle mass. A shallow pan of water about a third of their shell height to soak and drink from.

Substrate

The substrate or bedding that you use is one of the most important parts of your Red foot tortoise's home, since your tortoise will be spending all of its time on it. A mix of 50% sterile play sand and a 50% organic soil works well. Indoor/Outdoor carpeting can also be used as an effective substrate for your red foot tortoise. Be sure to have at least two identical pieces so that you can simply place the clean piece of carpeting in the enclosure while you rinse and disenfect the soiled piece. You can then allow the newly cleaned piece of carpeting to dry for the next days use. It is important to completely rinse the carpet after cleaning it to be sure there is no residual chemicals remaining on the carpet that could irritate your red foot tortoise. Aspen wood shavings provide an excellent, absorbent choice for your red foot tortoise as well. Be sure to stay away from cedar or pine shavings as these can cause health problems for your red foot tortoise.

Heating and Light

Red foot tortoises should have daytime temperatures of 70°F to 80°F with a 85°F to 90°F basking area under a spotlight. Nightime temperatures should be 60°F to 65°F. Red foot tortoises require UV light for proper metabolic and bone development. This can be provided with fluorecent bulbs or mercury vapor spot lights which also provide heat. A spotlight with an appropriate wattage incandescnet bulb or ceramic emitter can be used to provide heat. Many hobbyists will install thermometers or thermostats in the enclsosure to be able to accurately maintain these temperatures. Heated rocks and caves are never recommended for your red foot tortoise as they can lead to burns

Diet

The red foot tortoises diet consists of vegetables, fruit and some protein. Broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts should be fed sparingly. Protein could consist of earthworms, mealworms, crickets, or even the occational pinkie mouse. They should be fed two to three times a week, with their food being dusted with a D3 vitamin and calcium. A commercially prepared tortoise food can also be offered.