Common Name: Redfoot Tortoise
Scientific Name: Chelonoidis Carbonaria
Current Size: 2"+
Average Adult Size: 12-14"
Area of Origin: South and Central America; Few Carribbean Islands

Description: Black shell color, usually with yellow highlights in the centers of each scute of their shell, which are present from hatching (the black color grows in with age). The skin is black, with bright red spots on the front and rear legs. Head color varies between specimens and localities, but is generally black skin with red or yellow scales present mostly on the top of the head. Males generally are a bit more colorful than females. We consider them "watermelon" shaped; somewhat elongated and rounded, no matter which angle you're looking at them from. Males usually have a narrow waistline (hourglass shape) when viewed from above, although this isn't always the case.

Habitat: Naturally these tortoises exist in a wide variety of habitats, from grassland to jungle, almost all with moderate to high humidity and moderate temperatures. They can handle variable amounts of humidity in captivity once grown, but babies should be kept humid to ensure proper smooth growth. They do not hibernate, but will go through a winter slow down period during cooler weather and shortened daylengths. As adults, they can safely handle body temperatures as low as 45 degrees at night as long as they are able to heat up into the 70's during the day. Summer highs up to 100 degrees can be tolerated as long as there is a cooler, shaded retreat the tortoise can get into. Moisture is not a problem in warmer temperatures (a cool mud hole on a hot day), but in cooler weather and on cold nights, the tortoises should be kept dry.

Diet: This tortoise is naturally a browser, and will wander about munching on broadleaf plants and fallen fruit the majority of its natural life. They are known to eat meat in the wild, seen eating dead animals, worms and snails. In captivity, redfoot tortoises will eat almost anything well, such as leafy weeds and clover (dandelions are a favorite), fruit, vegetables and they love Mazuri tortoise diet.

Adult Behavior: Adult redfoot tortoises are interactive and curious tortoises. They are usually unaggressive towards eachother and can usually be kept long term in mixed-sex groups. They are not damaging to their environment, rarely digging holes or burrows. Most redfoots will eagerly come to their keepers looking for food once they are comfortable in their environments.

Our Current Care: During cooler weather or indoors, these tortoises are kept indoors on 2-3" deep moistened coco coir substrate with a humid hidebox that they can get into at night. We raise them in cheap, simple plastic tubs that can be purchased at WalMart or Target, generally 3 to 4 square feet in size for babies. Temperatures in the room fluctuate between 75 at night up to 85 during the day, but we keep the hidebox heated to around 80-85 at night with a heat pad beind it, or a red bulb placed overhead.

Diet consists of spring mix greens with many other leafy greens, fruit and veggies offered in rotation to that (mulberry, bell pepper, apple, pear, melon, mango, papaya, endive, grape leaves, hibiscus leaves, and diced cactus pads). We like to also add moistened Mazuri tortoise diet as well as ZooMed's Gourmet Tortoise Food a few times a week, usually mixed and mashed into the leafy greens. The addition of the commercial diets take care of most or all of the supplementation needs, or you can sprinkle the food lightly with a calcium supplement 2 or 3 times a week and a multivitamin supplement 1-2 times a week. We also throw a pinch of our herbal hay on top of whatever they are eating almost daily, which adds variety and flavor and scent to everything.

The tortoises are removed from their enclosure and soaked in a separate 1/4" deep pan of warm water daily or almost daily for 30 minutes each time. We don't generally use water dishes in the enclosures because of the risk of drowning (yes, we have lost babies to drowning when they flipped over in 1/4" of water).

Being a tropical species, they don't need intense lighting, but they need lights on during the day and off at night to maintain a normal day/night cycle. We use full spectrum UVB lights, which we suggest for the growth of pretty, healthy tortoises, and use a simple spot bulb or ceramic heat emitter for heat in a small part of the enclosure to give them a "hot spot" around 90-95 degrees that they can get into if they want to warm up.

32 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews

5
SO CUTE!

Posted by Jordan on 1st Sep 2012

We got our two baby redfoots today! They were active right away and ate very well after their soaking. Very satisfied with this site as well as the service Tyler and Sarah provided to us. I definitely recommend this site to anyone looking for tortoises. Thanks so much for our lovely little babies!!
5
Sooooo happy!

Posted by Matthew on 21st Aug 2012

I received my tort today and it is really healthly and is eatting well I am really happy about how everything was handled if I decide that my little tort needs a buddy I will come back here for sure!
5
On Time

Posted by Adam on 21st Aug 2012

Just recieved my baby redfoot. I didnt like the way FedEX had the box upside down when presenting it even though it clearly on the box says live animal and this side up. My baby redfoot got unpackaged and instantly when placed in my tort table was very active and alert. ate some greens, roamed the table and then went to bed. i am very pleased with this buy and will recommend site to anyone. 5+ stars in my book
5
Very happy!!!

Posted by Unknown on 7th Aug 2012

My kids got their redfoot today, the little tortoise is very curious and my kids are very happy. She had something to eat and drink as soon as we put her in the habitat. A+ for tortoise supply. If we get her company it would definitely be from this site.
5
In love already, I highly recommend Tortoise Supply

Posted by Kathy on 31st Jul 2012

I recieved my RedFoot this morning, I unpacked her and she had a little dip and drink in her pool. I put her in her Tortoise tub where she had a few bites of food and then went straight to her hide for a nap. After about an hour she came out and has been exploring her new home for the last couple of hours. She is not at all shy, she is very friendly and lets me rub her everywhere. We are both very happy and I am so glad I chose to buy from you! Thank you so much for our new Tort!!!
5
Satisfied!

Posted by Unknown on 25th Jun 2012

When I ordered my baby redfoot I was SO excited for him to come. Only problem was that in the middle of the night when I was tracking my order, my tortoise ended up in Tennessee and I'm in California! Needless to say when he finally got here (6 hours late) he wasn't very happy. He didn't eat and just wanted to go to sleep. It took him a few days to finally really eat something though he had been munching every so often the days before. He is now completely comfortable with myself and my boyfriend since we're the ones who take care of him. Overall he is an awesome little guy and tortoise supply deserves 5 stars since it was fedex's fault he came late!
5
Adorable Redfoot & Cherryhead babies delivered by Santa

Posted by Sharon Francz on 26th Dec 2011

Our hatchlings arrived a couple of days before Christmas just PERFECT! We live in Ohio, so I was worried about the temperature. Luckily, it was a mild day because they drove around in Santa's Fed-Ex truck from 8AM until 3PM! When my boys opened them, they were alert and hungry. They were sitting on a little "heat pack" and after a warm soak and meal, they went back to sleep in their new habitat. Sarah was awesome fielding all of my questions/concerns!
5
Couldn't be more happy!

Posted by Sarah on 2nd Sep 2011

Hi. I just wanted to let you know my little sweet baby Redfoot tortoise arrived about 9:30AM all perfect..I put him in his soak of warm water & after that he went exploring his new digs he will share for a short while with my baby Sulcata. He is very curious & alert..& cute as can be!Thank you so much for making these adorable little creatures available to us. I will love him forever!
5
recieved 3 months ago

Posted by Unknown on 4th Jul 2011

I got my baby red foot three months ago. I received it one day earlier than planned and taco came out of his container alert and curious. I take it outside to "play" everyday while it is warm. It loves to eat and absolutely loves having its head rubbed. I am thinking about getting a second one so taco can have a friend. I was very happy with the whole process.
5
Flawless

Posted by Eric Polaski on 29th Jun 2011

I received my baby redfoot this morning right on time. Upon taking him out of his packaging he immediately perked right up and wanted to stretch his legs. After a quick drink he was right back to walking! I'm glad I purchased from tortoisesupply because Tyler definitely knows his stuff. Beautiful animal
5
Arrived Today!!!

Posted by Ben & Kevin on 17th May 2011

Our two baby red foots arrived today. Very exciting. UPS took until 5 to deliver but other than that we are happy. They are already very active and look great.
5
Tortoise Supply is the Best!

Posted by kelly martens on 22nd Jan 2011

I have had my two red legged torts for two years. I got them in Feb. 2009. They arrived in their heated styrofoam dishes and were fine. They have gotten very big and are great pets. They love to eat. They love spring mix especially the raddichio.They are friendly and curious. I live in South Carolina and in the summer they live outside. They do well here because of our high humidity. In the winter I bring them inside.They are great pets and are a joy to own.