Red- Yellow Footed Tortoise

Blog #24 (Caring for the Red Footed Tortoise)

1. Keeping And Caring for Red -Yellow Footed Tortoises

2. Reptiles Magazine Online, May 2014

3. I chose this article because their feet were red and they looked miniature.

4. I liked how they described that there is a different footed tortoise besides red, but orange and yellow too. You can tell their different by the scales and of course the color. Yellow foots have scales at the top of their head and on their nose. Red foots have shortened prefrontals and a visible frontal scale. 

5. I learned that this species loves the outdoors and does not hibernate. They do very well in humid environments all around the U.S. These tortoises are recommended to be kept outside in large pens with other tortoises. Also, these tortoises can live in doghouses for shelter during harsh whether or night time sleep.

6. Are these tortoises popular in zoos?

7a. I wouldn't want a red footed tortoise because they need lots of attention and care. I would prefer something smaller. 

b. You can find these for about $120.

c. They can be found at http://www.tortoisesupply.com/ for $120 or at petco.com/ for an unnamed price.

d. No color morphs really besides feet from yellow-red.

e.-

f.-

g. They are not endangered right now, but if habitat destruction keeps up they might be.

h. No permit-

i. No controversy-

8. Care requirements include a nice pen with a good environments, lots of greens, good source of water and when babies they can be kept under a 90 degrees lamp for growth and vitamins. Some can be kept inside in a simple container with coconut chips as a substrate. 

9. This would be an intermediate level animal. They aren't huge, but do require some nurturing care due to that their tortoises. 

10. The most interesting thing is of course, their colored feet and cuteness. They are cuter than the huge african tortoises. A lot like Hyde!