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Care sheet

Red-footed Tortoise

Chelonoidis carbonarius

Testudinidae · Testudines

IntermediateCITES IIIUCN VU
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Temperament
Hands-off
Adult length
10–14 in
Lifespan (captivity)
30–50 yrs
Native range
Northern & central South America — humid forest edge and savanna

Care guide

Overview

Red-footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonarius) — a colorful, personable South American tortoise that, unlike Mediterranean species, needs higher humidity and eats some fruit and animal protein alongside greens. Does not hibernate.

Environment

Climate

Cool side
72–80 °F
Warm side
82–88 °F
Basking spot
90–95 °F
Nighttime
70–76 °F
Humidity (ambient)
60–80%

Environment

UVB lighting

Required?
Yes — provide UVB
Fixture type
T5 HO
Replacement interval
Every 12 months

Housing

Enclosure

Orientation
Terrestrial
Bioactive setup
Suitable
Minimum size by life stage
  • HatchlingNot specified
  • JuvenileNot specified
  • AdultMin 4x8 ft floor (larger/outdoor preferred); humid, planted, humid hide

Housing

Substrate

Safe options
topsoil/coco fiber mixcypress mulchorchid barkleaf litter
Avoid
arid-only substratecedarpine

Nutrition

Diet & feeding

Dietary type
Omnivore
Feeding frequency by life stage
  • AdultDaily: greens/weeds base + fruit + occasional protein (unusual for a tortoise)
Supplementation

Calcium dusting; broadleaf greens and weeds base, some fruit, and small amounts of animal protein.

Care

Water & behavior

Water

Shallow water pan always available; soak juveniles regularly.

Soaking behavior

Soak hatchlings/juveniles 2-3x weekly; enjoys higher humidity than Mediterranean tortoises.

Legal & ecology

Conservation

CITES
Appendix II
IUCN Red List
VU · Vulnerable
Wild populations

CITES Appendix II; IUCN commonly reported Vulnerable (verify current assessment). One of few tortoises that eats some animal protein and fruit; needs humidity, unlike arid species.

Citations

Sources

Every husbandry parameter on this page is backed by the references below. Click through to read the originals.

  1. Chelonoidis carbonarius — species account

    Animal Diversity Web, U. Michigan

    academic

    South American range, omnivorous/frugivorous diet, humidity needs.

    Published: 2020-01-01

  2. Chelonoidis carbonarius — CITES Appendix II

    CITES

    government

    Listed on CITES Appendix II.

    Published: 2019-01-01

  3. Red-footed Tortoise Care Sheet

    ReptiFiles (Mariah Healey)

    breeder community

    Enclosure size, humidity, basking, UVB, mixed omnivore diet.

    Published: 2022-01-01

Red-footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonarius) care sheet — Herpetoverse