The red foot tortoise is a beautiful, unique reptile that is very popular among crazy pet lovers. The red foot tortoise basically belongs to South America. The popularity in its name is because of beautiful red scales on its fore and hind limbs, head, and tail. They are medium-sized tortoises. Red foot tortoises are omnivorous in nature. In wild environments, they can eat both green plants and small insects. The color of the scales varies from red to dark yellow, in some cases. They love rain and muddy places. They feel happy to be sunk in muddy places, and it stimulates them for breeding.Habitat
Red-footed tortoises are basically found in forest, dry plateaus’ and grassy lands. They are also found in rain forest areas, where they like the environment the most. Red footed tortoises are very close relatives of yellow footed tortoises.Life Span
It is believed that the red footed tortoises normally live more than 50 years. The genes of long life are inherited in the entire tortoise species.Diet Plan
The beautiful, red footed tortoises are omnivorous. They eat both plants and small animals. They like to eat green vegetables, fruits, and leaves that are high in calcium and iron. They like spinach the most. They like to eat a variety of flowers, as well. Fruits such as mangoes, kiwis, plums, pineapples, peaches, strawberries, melons can be fed to them. They need a large quantity of calcium for the growth of their shell.Threats of Survival
Red-footed tortoises face extensive hunting in the areas of their origin, as a food for local tribal people. The Catholic Church declares it as a fish, and because of it their followers are eating it in large numbers. The fact that this species can withstand a long time without food and water, makes this a very profitable animal to be smuggled and transported in many countries.Breeding
As the rainy season starts, it stimulates the breeding season, when the tortoises are 6-8 inches long. A healthy red footed pair can produce up to 3-5 eggs per season. A diet rich in protein and calcium can make the females to produce more eggs. The red footed tortoise’s breeding starts when they are 6 to 8 inches long.Care
If you plan to keep red foot tortoises, then they need special care in order to become the prettiest of pets. It should get a regular checkup from a veterinary physician specialized in reptiles.Size
Red footed tortoises frequently reach a length of 10-14 inches, sometimes 16 inches or more. They can reach weights up to 30 pounds.Red Foot Tortoise Quick Facts
- It is the most beautiful among all the tortoises.
- It needs warm temperatures, 80-88° F (26-31° C), and high humidity (50-80%).
- They suffer if the conditions are dry.
- They are very active, friendly and social animals.
- Mostly, they do not hibernate.
Nowadays keeping tortoises as a pet in your house is becoming a fashion. They are easy to handle as compared to numerous other animals. Among all the tortoises, the red footed are the most beautiful. This article has provided you handy information, and it might encourage you to find a new pet in the form of the Red Foot Tortoise.