RED & YELLOW-FOOTED TORTOISES
Raf is our yellow-footed tortoise. He was surrendered to us about a year ago and is just the most curious and friendly tortoise you will ever meet. He spends winters inside and we sure do miss him when he is out for the summer.
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Common Name: Red-footed tortoise
Scientific Name: Chelonoidis carbonaria Type: Land Tortoise Diet: Herbivore Average Life Span: 50 years Size: 13 inches, up to 20 lbs IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated Current Population Trend: Unknown |
Common Name: Yellow-footed tortoise
Scientific Name: Chelonoidis denticulata Type: Land Tortoise Diet: Mostly Herbivore Average Life Span: 50 years Size: 15 to 30 inches, up to 35 lbs IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable Current Population Trend: Unspecified |
About the Red and Yellow-footed Tortoises
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.
Yellow-footed tortoises are the largest tortoises on the mainland of South America. They're named for the yellow-orange scales on their front legs. Both males and females have a thick, heavy shell, but a female's shell is more domed than the male's, and the plastron is concave in males. These tortoises have dark brown scales with patches of yellow. Their limbs and head are brown with some orange scales and markings. Tortoises have heavy claws for digging and their strong shells protect them from predators.
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.
Yellow-footed tortoises are the largest tortoises on the mainland of South America. They're named for the yellow-orange scales on their front legs. Both males and females have a thick, heavy shell, but a female's shell is more domed than the male's, and the plastron is concave in males. These tortoises have dark brown scales with patches of yellow. Their limbs and head are brown with some orange scales and markings. Tortoises have heavy claws for digging and their strong shells protect them from predators.
Native Habitat
Red-footed tortoises live throughout South America from Panama to Argentina. They are also found on the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Barbados. They live in dry and wet forests areas, grasslands and the savanna. Yellow-footed tortoises live in the dense rainforests and tropical lowlands of South America, particularly in Panama, Columbia, Venezuela, Brazil, the Guianas, Rio de Janeiro, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina. They are also found in Trinidad and Tobago and have been introduced to several Caribbean Islands.
Red-footed tortoises live throughout South America from Panama to Argentina. They are also found on the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Barbados. They live in dry and wet forests areas, grasslands and the savanna. Yellow-footed tortoises live in the dense rainforests and tropical lowlands of South America, particularly in Panama, Columbia, Venezuela, Brazil, the Guianas, Rio de Janeiro, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina. They are also found in Trinidad and Tobago and have been introduced to several Caribbean Islands.
Communication
Males and females use head movements as signals to identify each other.
Males and females use head movements as signals to identify each other.
Food/Eating Habits
Red-footed tortoises are primarily herbivorous but will also eat small amounts of animal matter, such as small invertebrates. Most of their food comes from leaves, grasses, fungi, fruits and flowers. Yellow-footed tortoises are also primarily herbivorous but have been known to eat grasses, leaves, fallen fruits, succulents, insects, snails, and carrion.
Source: Smithsonian National Zoo and Zoo New England
Red-footed tortoises are primarily herbivorous but will also eat small amounts of animal matter, such as small invertebrates. Most of their food comes from leaves, grasses, fungi, fruits and flowers. Yellow-footed tortoises are also primarily herbivorous but have been known to eat grasses, leaves, fallen fruits, succulents, insects, snails, and carrion.
Source: Smithsonian National Zoo and Zoo New England