Red-footed tortoises undergo an ontogenetic color change. Juveniles have a carapace with a pale yellow or horn ground color, with increasing dark brown or black patches as the animal matures. Adults have a carapace with a dark brown or blackish brown ground color with pale yellow aureole in the center of each lateral and center scute. Enlarged scales on the legs and tail vary from yellow to dark cherry red, the brightest colors are generally seen on adult males. Enlarged scales on the head range from pale yellow to bright red (Legler, 1963). There is considerable variation in color over the range of the red-foot tortoise, so no one description will accurately describe every specimen.

Although red-foots are commonly found in relatively dry grassland and forest areas, this species is also found in humid forest habitat. Red-foots are most active after the rainy season when mating occurs. Male red-foot tortoises engage in combat, with rival males attempting to overturn one another. It is interesting to note than in almost every tortoise species where male combat occurs, the males are always larger than the females. This is in comparison to aquatic species, where the males are usually smaller than the females and do not engage in male to male combat. It is thought that species with male combat evolved larger males because larger males have a better chance of winning a bout and mating with a female, thus passing on their larger size to their offspring. Species with smaller males evolved because smaller males are more mobile and can mate with a large number of females, thus passing on their genes (Berry and Shine, 1980). In natural habitat, mating takes place after the rainy season, from July to September, and clutches vary from 5-15 eggs (Medem, 1962). Red-footed tortoises, and many other tortoise species, are slow to mature and do not reach sexual maturity for several years. This, coupled with a relatively low clutch size, makes the red-footed tortoise susceptible to over hunting. With over hunting, more sexually mature animals are removed from the population than can be replaced by maturing juveniles, consequently, the overall population begins to decline. Although the red-footed tortoise is not currently classified as endangered, if the hunting rate and habitat loss continue at their current levels, it will most likely be so in the future. Conservation efforts include the establishment and protection of wildlife reserves and national parks, where red-footed tortoises and other animals are protected from hunting (Walker, 1989).

 
Geographic Range: Found in tropical South America - the Guianas, Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador and Paraguay and on some Caribbean islands. The red-foot shares some of its range in the wild with the yellow-footed tortoise (Geochelone denticulata). While both species are found in tropical forests, in Surinam, where there is forest and open grasslands, Pritchard mentions that only the red-footed tortoises appear to have ventured out of the forest into the grasslands. The yellow-footed tortoises have stayed exclusively in the forest.

Physical Characteristics: A dark carapace with lighter patches of yellow in the centers of the scutes and around the outside edges of the shell. Although there is much variation, the legs and head are often colored with patches of red, orange or yellow. Adult males average 13.25 inches long and are somewhat larger than the females, which average 11.25 inches in length. They are sexually mature at a smaller size than this. Males have a concave plastron, just as our own desert tortoises do, and have lower, flatter, and a more pronounced hourglass shape to their carapaces than do females. Males also have longer, thicker tails than the females do. Pritchard reports that the largest red-footed tortoise on record is 17.75" long. Its shell is in the American Museum of Natural History. Although no sub-species have been described red-foots occur over a huge geographic area and there is considerable variation in size and color.

Reproduction: According to both Pritchard and to Ernst & Barbour the mating ritual of red-footed tortoises involves some very distinctive head movements on the part of the male. He begins by standing side-by-side with another tortoise and moving his head suddenly to one side, then returning it to the middle, in a series of sideways jerking motions. If the second tortoise is a male, he will respond with similar head movements, and some characteristic pushing and shoving may then ensue. If, however, the second tortoise is a female, she will not move her head in response. The male will move around to sniff at her tail, to confirm what he already suspects, before mating begins.

Perhaps the most usual thing about their breeding behavior is that the male makes a clucking sound during courtship and mating. The clucks sound amazingly like a hen; however, they rise and fall in pitch according to a set pattern.

In the wild, the red-footed tortoise lays clutches of 5 to 15 eggs between July and September. They are generally buried in a nest in the ground in typical tortoise style. Eggs are oblong (about 2" x 1.5") and have brittle shells. The hatchlings are round and flat, and are about 1.5" in diameter. They have none of the tooth like projections on the edges of their shells found in the yellow-footed tortoises. Clutches hatch between 120-250 of days incubation at a temperature of about 80°F.

Habitat: While both species are found in tropical forests, in Surinam, where there is forest and open grasslands, Pritchard mentions that only the red-footed tortoises appear to have ventured out of the forest into the grasslands. The yellow-footed tortoises have stayed exclusively in the forest.
 

Diet: Wild grasses, succulent plants, fallen fruit and carrion

 

Additional Notes

Upon initial sighting, a Yellow-foot tortoise looks very similar to the closely related Red-foot tortoise, with the primary distinction being the presence of yellow scales on the forelegs of G. denticulata and red scales on the forelegs of G. carbonaria  (thus the common names for each).  However, of all of the differences for these two species, this is actually the most variable.  While Red-foots may be more intensely colored, this is not a universal distinction; there are Yellow-foots that are very brightly patterned and comparatively drab Red-foots. While there are numerous morphometric differences between these two species, by far the easiest method of telling Red-foots and Yellow-foots apart is the differences in the scalation of their heads.

The prefrontal and frontal scales are the scales at the tip of the nose.
Yellow-foots have elongated prefrontal scales and a fragmented frontal scale
 

Red-foots have shortened prefrontals and an intact frontal scale.

As with all species of turtles and tortoises, wild caught animals should be avoided.  In particular, freshly imported Red-foots are noted for difficulties in acclimating them to captivity.  Wild caught specimens often exhibit a fading sydrome resulting in death  even with aggressive medical care.  If possible, only captive born specimens should be considered.

Well acclimated Red-foot tortoises do not pace or move around as much as most tortoises but tend to be ravenous feeders.  This can result in obesity.  Careful watch should be kept on their weight and any loss or sustained gain in a non-actively growing animal should be noted and addressed.

This species does not hibernate in nature.  Facilities should be provided for the continued health and well being of the tortoise indoors in cooler conditions.  

Red-foot tortoises make wonderful pets, but it is important to be prepared for this long term pet. It is also advisable to have a complete vet check-up once a year in order to assess the health of your tortoise. For example, a hidden killer of tortoises is worms (like dogs and cats get) which can be easily taken care of by administering a worming solution. If you are purchasing a new Red-foot tortoise it is CRITICAL to have your tortoise wormed - this is especially true for wild caught specimens which may harbor worms. A stool sample taken to the vet can be quickly analyzed for worms and see if treatment is necessary. As with most tortoises it is important to avoid mixing different species. Even though a tortoise appears healthy (and maybe is), they still may harbor pathogens that are deadly to other tortoises who are not naturally immune to certain illnesses. Red-foot tortoises are very personable and you will quickly learn his or her personality. If you decide to get one - Enjoy!!

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