Unique Qualities Of The Red Footed Tortoise

By Alan Stables

The herpetocultural trade is beat by one species, the red footed tortoise. The red footed tortoise is known as the Geochelone carbonaria in scientific terms. The red leg, red foot, and savanna tortoise are just a few of the names the tortoise is referred to as. Another class of tortoise, the dwarf, is smaller than the average red footed tortoise. For understandable reasons, this class is referred to as the “cherry heads” because of its length, which can reach up to twelve inches.

The common red foot tortoise can reach weights of up to thirty pounds and grow up to fourteen inches in length. It is rare, but some instances have shown sixteen-inch red foot tortoises.

The red footed tortoise comes from the continent of South America and is usually found in the eastern part of the Andes mountain range. Bolivia, Columbia, Panama, Venezuela, Paraguay, Brazil, Guyana and northern parts of Argentina are the best places to sight a red footed tortoise. The creatures are accustomed to hot and humid weather conditions and is usually found in dry grasslands or rain forests. A very rare kind of tortoise, a red footed tortoise is known for its ability to never hibernate.

The male tortoise is larger in size compared to its counterpart. The males exhibit longer shells, but may not be taller or wider in size.

The male, however, has a wider and longer tail compared to the female population of red foot tortoises. The plastron of a red footed tortoise is a concave figure. Both male and female red footed tortoises have an illusion of an hourglass shape due to their mid-body constriction aspect. This quality of red footed tortoises is more commonly seen in females than males.

The color difference is noticeable. Most red footed tortoises have pale yellow or bright red scales. But it is the red spots on their heads, limbs and tails that define their species. All red foots are omnivores, eating plants, grass, and some insects. Because of their diet, the red footed tortoise can live up to 70 years.

Red footed tortoises are not classified as endangered quite yet, but clear signs indicate they may make the list in the not too distant future. Their habitat is unfortunately deteriorating because of human interference.

Wild life sanctuaries and habitats are taking the necessary precautions to avoid extinction of the red footed tortoise. It is a shame the red footed tortoise may disappear from earth before we know it.

Alan Stables has a keen interest in tortoise facts, from learning about tortoise hibernation to developing the most appropriate tortoise housing for them.

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Topics: Reptiles | Comments Off

Tags: animals, nature, Pets, Reptiles, tortoises

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