Red Footed Turtle (Geochelone Carbonaria)
Conservation status
IUCN: Red List: Vulnerable
Key Descriptions
Red Footed Tortoise hail from the exotic Amazonia of South America. With distinctive red markings throughout its body & lightly tinged scutes which contrast its dark limbs & carapace, this medium sized tortoise can be found foraging throughout the savannah & forests edge of the Amazon Basin feasting on a diet of primarily plants & fruit while occasionally enjoying a protein rich snack including carrion & invertebrates.
Habitat
Most tortoise species are inactive for much of their day, and red-footed tortoises typically spend more than 50% of their daylight hours resting. After a large meal they may rest even longer, commonly for five to ten days. They seek shelter where there is protection from predators as well as thermoregulation. Shelters are often communal, occupied by as many tortoises as will fill the space.
Social Life
They tend to gather in small social groups, sharing food among each other & are not exceedingly territorial unless competition for a suitable mate is involved. Head bobbing & similar movements have been observed among tortoises as a form of communication. Variations of this particular species exist as seen in the smaller Cherry Head Tortoises as well as its relative, the Yellow Footed Tortoise.
Fun Facts
- Red-footed tortoises have a concave, bumpy shell. Their skin is mostly black with shells being typically black, gray or brown. Young tortoises have small distinct areas of yellow or tan coloring surrounding or covering each bump. Bright red marks may appear on the head. The legs and tail often have patches of orange, yellow or red
- Males and females use head movements as signals to identify each other
- After mating, females bury five to 15 eggs in nests excavated in leaf litter on the forest floor. Incubation time in the nest varies with local conditions, but typically, eggs hatch after around 150 days
Diet
Fruits, Vegetables, Carrion
Key Information
| Origin: | S. America |
| Size: | 28.5cm – 34cm |
| Weight: | Up to 9kg |
| Lifespan: | Up to 5Oyears |