Also called Red-foot tortoise, Red-legged tortoise, Savanna tortoise, Carumbe / karumbe (Brazil, Paraguay), Morrocoy (Venezuela, Colombia)
SpeciesShort profile
From Northern and central South America: from south-eastern Panama through Colombia, Venezuela and the Guianas, south through Brazil to Bolivia, Paraguay and possibly northern Argentina, plus Trinidad. It has also become established on several Caribbean islands. It lives in forest edges, dry and wet forest and savanna.123
A loaf-shaped dark shell, brown to nearly black, where each scute carries a lighter golden or tan centre. The underside is a paler yellow. The real eye-catcher is the scales on the legs, tail and head, which range from pale yellow through orange to deep red. Males grow larger than females.123
Coloursdark brown to black shell with pale scute centrespale to dark yellow plastronyellow, orange or red scales on legs, tail and head12
Personality what they are like
Calm, curious and food-motivated. Keepers often describe them as having real character. Most prefer not to be picked up regularly, but many learn to enjoy a gentle scratch on the shell.245
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Active by day and a steady wanderer that likes to forage across a large floor area, though not a long-distance traveller. It is not a burrowing species and does not need a winter dormancy period.152
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Offer a shallow water dish big enough to climb into for drinking and soaking, cleaned daily. Young tortoises benefit from soaks of 15-30 minutes once or twice a week. Provide UVB lighting for about 11-13 hours a day and keep humidity high.45
Home where they are happiest
A large, humid enclosure: ReptiFiles suggests a minimum of roughly 2.4-3.7 m by 1.2-1.8 m (32-72 sq ft) of floor space for an adult, ideally outdoors where the climate allows. Basking spot 32-35 °C, general air 24-29 °C and nights 20-23 °C. Humidity around 70-90%. Use at least 10 cm of soil and coconut-fibre mix (30 cm outdoors) topped with leaf litter, plus hides and solid walls.45
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A mostly plant-based omnivore. A good guide is around 55% fruit, flowers and leaves, 35% grasses and vegetables and about 10% protein and mushrooms. Wild tortoises eat mainly fruit in the wet season and flowers in the dry season, along with fungi and the occasional invertebrate. Feed juveniles daily and adults every other day.421
Company who they like around
Largely solitary in the wild but semi-social, recognising each other by head colour and head movements. Can be kept alone or in single-sex groups if there is enough space and plenty of hides.324
The story where it all began
Originally placed in the catch-all genus Testudo, the species was later moved to Geochelone and then to Chelonoidis, the group that also contains the Galapagos giants. Its name means 'coal-like', a nod to its dark shell, and a decades-old spelling slip was corrected in 2017. It has long been a popular pet thanks to its colours, size and personality.2
Fun facts for the dinner table
1
Courting males make clucking sounds that are often compared to a chicken.1
2
Red-footed tortoises tell each other apart by the colour of their heads and limbs and by jerky side-to-side head movements.2
3
They follow the gaze of other tortoises, looking in the same direction as their companions.1
4
By eating fruit and passing the seeds, they help spread tropical plants such as figs.1
5
Coming from the tropics, they stay active all year and do not hibernate.2
Recognised by the official bits
IUCN Red List
Listed as Vulnerable according to Wikipedia; the Smithsonian's National Zoo page gives Least Concern, so sources differ2
CITES
Appendix II, so international trade needs permits2
Taxonomy
Moved from Testudo to Geochelone and, in 1982, to Chelonoidis; the species name was long misspelled 'carbonaria' and corrected to 'carbonarius' in 20172
The care rhythm a typical week and year
A typical home-care rhythm for a Red-footed Tortoise. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
Fresh food and waterevery day
Temperature checkevery day
Spot cleanevery day
SoakA shallow lukewarm soakevery week
UVB bulb changeFollow the bulb maker's adviceevery 6 months
Outdoor time summerSupervised sunshine on warm daysevery day
Weigh inevery month
Full cleanevery month
Vet check-upFind a vet who sees exotic petsevery year
Treats they will love homemade and simple
Dandelion and Clover Salad
Dandelion and clover are safe, nutritious weeds that tortoises love. Dandelion provides calcium and vitamins, while clover adds variety. Feed only young, fresh leaves and as part of a wider diet.
You need
A handful of fresh dandelion leaves and flowers
A handful of fresh clover leaves and flowers (young, undamaged)
How
Wash the dandelion and clover thoroughly under cool running water to remove any soil or insects.
Pat dry with a clean cloth or paper towel.
Mix the leaves and flowers together in a clean bowl.
Offer a small portion to your tortoise as a treat, ensuring the rest of the meal is varied.
How much: A small handful per tortoise, no more than once or twice a week as part of a varied diet.
Hibiscus flowers are a safe, colourful treat that many tortoises enjoy. They are low in oxalates and provide a source of hydration and natural sugars. Feed sparingly.
You need
1-2 fresh hibiscus flowers (washed)
How
Pick or purchase fresh hibiscus flowers that have not been treated with pesticides.
Rinse the flowers gently under cool water to remove any dirt or insects.
Offer the whole flower to your tortoise, or tear it into smaller pieces if needed.
How much: One or two flowers per tortoise, no more than once a week.
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Red-footed Tortoise?
Feed juveniles daily and adults every other day. Furry Diary's starting plan includes daily fresh food and water, plus a weekly shallow lukewarm soak.42Pet Wiki plan
What does a Red-footed Tortoise eat, and what should it never eat?
A mostly plant-based omnivore: about 55% fruit, flowers and leaves, 35% grasses and vegetables, and 10% protein and mushrooms. Avoid any foods not listed here and always ask your vet for a complete safe list.42
How much space does a Red-footed Tortoise need?
An adult needs a large enclosure with at least 32-72 sq ft of floor space, ideally outdoors in a warm climate. Indoors, use a minimum of 2.4-3.7 m by 1.2-1.8 m with deep substrate and hides.45
What temperature, light or water does a Red-footed Tortoise need?
Provide a basking spot of 32-35°C, general air 24-29°C, and nights 20-23°C. Use UVB lighting for 11-13 hours daily, keep humidity at 70-90%, and offer a shallow water dish for drinking and soaking.45
How often should I clean a Red-footed Tortoise's home?
Spot-clean daily and do a full clean monthly. Furry Diary's plan also includes a daily temperature check and a weekly shallow soak.4Pet Wiki plan
Can a Red-footed Tortoise live with others?
Yes, they are semi-social and can be kept alone or in single-sex groups if there is enough space and plenty of hides. They recognise each other by head colour and movements.324
How long does a Red-footed Tortoise live?
They can live 50 years or more, so be ready for a long-term commitment. Regular vet check-ups and good care help them thrive.345
Can I handle a Red-footed Tortoise?
Most prefer not to be picked up regularly, but many learn to enjoy a gentle scratch on the shell. Handle gently and only when needed to keep them calm.245
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
Yellow-footed Tortoise
Hermann's Tortoise
Russian Tortoise