Red Footed Tortoise: Must-Know Facts

The red-footed tortoise is a medium-sized tortoise from South America, named for the bright red, orange or yellow scales on its legs. It has become a popular pet because it is curious, friendly and fairly easy to handle, but it needs warmth, humidity and plenty of space to stay healthy for its long life.

Red-footed tortoise Quick Facts

Common name	Red-footed tortoise
Scientific name	Chelonoidis carbonarius
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Testudines
Family	Testudinidae
Genus	Chelonoidis
Type	Reptile (tortoise)
Diet	Plants, flowers, grasses and some insects
Habitat	Warm, moist places around 75–80°F
Size	12–14 in (30–35 cm) long
Lifespan	50 years or more

Where Do Red-Footed Tortoises Live?

In the wild, red-footed tortoises live across much of northern South America, from Colombia and Venezuela through the Guianas and Brazil to parts of Argentina and Paraguay. They are found in tropical forests, forest edges and grassy savannas, usually close to shade and water.

Their dark shell has a yellowish patch in the middle of each large scale, which helps them blend in with the dappled light of the forest floor.

Red-Footed Tortoise Climate Needs

This species does best in a warm, humid environment. Daytime temperatures should generally stay in the high 70s to mid 80s Fahrenheit (about 26 to 30 C), with a warmer basking spot and no cold drafts. Nights can be a little cooler, but should not get chilly.

Humidity is just as important as heat. Red-foots come from damp places, and dry air can cause breathing and shell problems. Keepers often use a moisture-holding substrate, such as a soil and coconut-fiber mix, and lightly mist the enclosure.

If you live somewhere cool or dry, you will need indoor heating and humidity for much of the year. If that is too much to manage, a different tortoise species may be a better match for your climate.

Red-Footed Tortoise Size and Enclosure

Adult red-footed tortoises usually reach about 12 to 14 inches (30 to 35 cm) in shell length, with males often a little larger than females. That means a fully grown red-foot needs a lot of room.

Young tortoises can start in a large indoor enclosure, but adults need a big pen, either outdoors in warm weather or in a spacious indoor room set up for reptiles. Make sure the enclosure has:

• Secure walls they cannot climb or dig under
• A shallow water dish big enough to soak in
• Plenty of hiding places, such as logs, plants and shelters
• A warm, dry, fully enclosed shelter for nighttime and rainy weather if they live outside
• No toxic plants, garden chemicals or other animals that could hurt them

What Do Red-Footed Tortoises Eat?

Unlike many tortoises, red-foots are omnivores. In the wild they eat leaves, grasses, flowers and lots of fallen fruit, and they will also eat small amounts of animal food, such as snails, worms and carrion.

A healthy pet diet is mostly leafy greens and weeds, with fruit making up a smaller share. Plants that many keepers grow in or near a red-foot’s enclosure include dandelion, clover, hibiscus, hollyhock, mulberry leaves, grasses such as Bermuda grass and orchard grass, and prickly pear cactus pads and fruit (with the spines removed). Squash, bell peppers and cucumber can be offered as occasional extras.

Fruits such as mango, papaya, melon, berries and figs make good treats. A small amount of protein, such as an earthworm or a little cooked egg, can be offered every week or two. Do not feed dog food, cat food or large amounts of meat.

Commercial tortoise pellets are available, but they should not replace fresh food. A varied natural diet, plus a calcium supplement and access to UVB light or real sunshine, is the best way to keep a red-foot’s shell and bones strong.

Red-Footed Tortoise Personality

Red-footed tortoises are known for being curious and gentle. Many learn to recognize their keepers and will wander over at feeding time. They are generally calm, although males can be pushy with each other, especially during breeding season.

How Long Do Red-Footed Tortoises Live?

With good care, red-footed tortoises can live for 50 years or more. That is a commitment that can last most of a person’s life, so families should think carefully before bringing one home.

For a well-prepared beginner, or an experienced keeper, a red-foot can make a wonderful pet. The keys to success are warmth, humidity, space, a varied diet and a regular check-up with a vet who knows reptiles.

Red-footed tortoise FAQs