Red-Footed Tortoise Care Sheet

Meet the Red-Footed Tortoise!

Say hello to one of the most beginner-friendly tortoises you can keep as a pet! The Red-Footed Tortoise — native to the forests and savannas of South America — is known for its friendly, docile nature and striking red-scaled legs. These social creatures can often be found in groups in the wild, and they bring that same calm, curious energy into your home. 🐢❤️

Fast Facts

🔬 Scientific name: Chelonoidis carbonaria

🎯 Experience level: Beginner

📏 Size: 12 to 14 in. (30 to 35 cm) in shell length

⚖️ Weight: 5 to 10 lbs (2.2 to 4.5 kg)

⏳ Lifespan: 50 years or more

🥗 Diet: Omnivore

Housing / Terrarium

Enclosure: A 20-gallon terrarium is suitable for a baby Red-Footed Tortoise up to 6 in. (15 cm) in length. An adult requires a terrarium at least 4 ft (120 cm) long, 2 ft. (60 cm) wide, and 2 ft. (60 cm) tall. A screened lid, plants and decor, water dish, food dish, hide, and a hygrometer-thermometer are all essential setup items.

Substrate: The substrate should hold moisture and provide a comfortable surface to walk on. Recommended options include coconut coir, bark, soil, and cypress mulch.

Lighting: A UVB light (5.0 Tropical) and dome lamp should be provided to help with calcium absorption. Lights should be on for 12–14 hours per day. A ceramic heater or daytime heat lamp is also needed to maintain proper temperatures.

Maintenance: Maintain a clean environment by removing feces and uneaten food daily, and cleaning the enclosure regularly.

Diet / Feeding

🥬 Leafy Greens & Vegetables (70%): Should make up the majority of the diet. Great options include saluyot, kangkong, upo, pechay, sayote, carrot, and squash.

🍉 Fruits & Plants (20%): Papaya, mango, pineapple, banana, and watermelon. Also mulberry leaves, Opuntia cactus pads, and Gumamela flowers and leaves.

🍗 Protein & Pellets (10%): Commercial pellets such as Armour Exotics Booster Pellets. Suitable proteins include cooked chicken, boiled or scrambled eggs, mealworms, and earthworms.

💧 Water: A large water dish should always be available in the enclosure for the tortoise to soak in. Change the water daily.

Supplements

Calcium and Vitamin D3 supplements can be added to the tortoise's food to ensure they are getting enough of these essential nutrients. It's also important to provide a cuttlebone or other calcium source for the tortoise to chew on (e.g., AE Calcium Bites).

Enrichment: Tortoises need mental and physical stimulation. Providing different textures, objects to climb on, and hiding places will help keep them entertained.

🛒 Shopping Checklist for Needed Supplies

• Appropriately sized enclosure
• Thermometer and hygrometer
• Substrate (eco-nut, eco-bark, terrarium mat)
• Moss
• Food dish (exo-feeder)
• Water dish
• UVB lighting (5.0 – Tropical) and dome
• Ceramic heater or daytime heat lamp
• Food (grass, hay, vegetables, booster pellets)
• Hide / shelter (exo-hut)
• Supplements (calcium bites)

🚩 Red Flags — When to See a Vet

• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Lethargy or lack of activity
• Shell abnormalities such as cracks or softness
• Abnormal behavior such as hiding or excessive basking
• Diarrhea or blood in the stool
• Parasites: infestations of mites, ticks, or other parasites can cause skin irritation

Note: If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a veterinarian with experience in treating reptiles as soon as possible.

Common Health Issues

• Respiratory infection
• Shell rot
• Parasites
• Vitamin A deficiency
• Metabolic bone disease

If you feel confident managing all of the above, make sure your Red-Footed Tortoise has everything they need before you bring them home. A well-prepared setup means a happy, healthy tortoise from day one — and a much less stressed new pet parent! Scroll down to shop all the starter tortoise supplies you need in one click! 👇🛒

👉 Shop Tortoise Supplies at Pet Nation