Red-footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonarius)

Red-footed Tortoise Chelonoidis carbonarius
Name	Red-footed Tortoise
Name Lat.	Chelonoidis carbonarius
Synonym	Geochelone carbonaria
Family	Tortoises
Family lat.	Testudinidae
Order	Turtles
Order lat.	Testudines
Origin	South America
Habitat	Grassland
Diet	Herbs, veggies, insects
Humidity	60-80 %
Behavior	Peaceful
Keeping	Individual, pair
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Semi-humid terrarium
Life Span	20-25 years
Protection	CITES Appendix II; EU Annex B
Metric Units
Size	40-50 cm
Temperature	25-30 °C
Temperature Local	35-40 °C
Housing Size	400 x 200 x 100 m
US Units
Size	16"-20"
Temperature	77-86 °F
Temperature Local	95-104 °F
Housing Size	155" x 80" x 40"

Distribution and habitat

The range of the charcoal turtles is tropical South America from Panama to the north of Argentina. There they live in the dry lowlands, in grasslands and the adjacent forest regions as well as in open areas of humid rainforests.

Maintenance

Minimum dimensions for the terrarium, according to the size and number of animals

1-2 animals

8PL x 4PL (L x W)

The carapace length (PL) is measured on the largest animal. For each additional animal the footprint has to be increased by10 %, from the 5th animal on by 20 %. A terrarium of e.g.400 x 200 x 100 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place.

You need a terrarium structured with roots, robust plants and stones with a graveable substrate, e.g. of sand-loam-gravel mixture, as well as an easy to clean, large water basin, approx. 20 cm deep. The substrate should always be kept slightly moist. In case of group keeping, suitable, separate retreats should be provided. The inside of the terrarium should be finely sprayed with water (humidity) daily. A rain or mist system is ideal.

Temp. day: 25-30 °C

Temp. night: 20-25 °C

Temp. local: 35-40 °C

Humidity: 60-80

Thermostatically controlled floor heating is recommended. Lighting duration must be 10-14 hrs, depending on the season. They need high light intensity and daily UV irradiation as well as sunny places with radiant heat.

Diet

They are omnivores, but they feed almost exclusively vegetarian. The diet consists of a wide range of wild herbs (plantain, dandelion, parsley, etc.), grass, hay and hay dressings, clover, sweet grasses, mushrooms and vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, cabbage leaves, cucumbers, zucchini and carrots, supplemented with commercial ready-made food for tortoises. They need animal protein in small amounts about every 2-4 weeks, such as pieces of fish, earthworms, snails or grasshoppers, and small pieces of hard-boiled egg. Fruit should be fed only a little and rarely because of the fructose content. Regular addition of minerals and vitamins is important. Clean drinking water (drunk through the nose) must always be available

A varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

Males grow significantly larger, have a concave ventral carapace (plastron) and a significantly longer tail. Adult males have a charapax that is distinctly narrowed in the middle. Mating occurs year-round, but cooler months are preferred. Egg laying occurs 2-3 times a year. The female buries her eggs (up to 5-6 pieces) about 10 cm deep in a sandy south-facing place. The incubation period is 120-150 days at about 30 °C. The life expectancy can be 25-30 years.

Species protection

The animal population must be reported in writing to the competent authority immediately after the start of keeping. Subsequently, all arrivals and departures must be reported.

Protection of species: WA Annex II; EU Annex B. The proof of purchase is the required proof of origin for the animal. Please keep it safe! Your pet store will be happy to provide you with further information.

Important

In their large range, there is considerable variation in the size and coloration of the animals. They are active all year round and do not hibernate in the conventional sense, but often take rest periods during the summer. Free-range housing is recommended during the summer months, but a heated retreat must be available.

The terrarium must have good ventilation without drafts and meet the species specific needs. Measuring devices such as thermometers, hygrometers, etc. are necessary. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Contamination must be removed regularly

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Christian Sänger; Image: petdata

Source: BMELV (1997): Tierschutzgutachten - Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Reptilien; ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF