Yellow Foot Tortoise

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Yellow Foot Tortoise

Scientific Name

  • The scientific name of Yellow Foot Tortoise is Geochelone denticulata

Description

  • Also known as Yellow-footed tortoise.
  • Look quite similar to Red-footed Tortoise. The difference is just the color of the scale on the forelegs and the heads of the tortoises.
  • Readily available and fairly hardy, that makes a wonderful pet tortoise.
  • Their shell is wide and flat with light golden brown.
  • These tortoises are shy yet active and personable.

Distribution

  • They are found in South American countries, covering from Brazil to Bolivia and some Caribbean Islands.
  • They also live in Northern South America, east of the Andes to southern Brazil, Trinidad, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, etc.

Breeding

  • Light winter cooling, followed by warm and rainy days, is helpful for Yellow Footed Tortoises breeding.

Nesting

  • They lay 6 to 12 eggs per clutch.
  • Each clutch is laid 4 to 6 weeks apart.
  • The little babies take approximately 3 to 4 months at 84°F to hatch.

Size

  • Male up to 24 inches (60cm).
  • Female up to 30 inches (75cm).
  • Weight up to 40 lbs (20 kg).

Life Span

  • Yellow Footed Tortoises may live up to 50 years old.

Diet

  • These are tortoises are omnivores.
  • Eat leafy greens such as clover, endive, dandelions, etc.
  • Fallen fruits.
  • Small amounts of meat, such as earthworms and low protein food.
  • Commercial tortoise food (high calcium and vitamins).
  • Powdered calcium and high protein food should be mixed with the meal once a week to help them grow better.

Habitat

  • Their natural habitat is in the dense rainforest and tropical lowlands of South America.

Common Disease

  • These tortoises will experience respiratory problems after prolonged exposure to a cool environment.
  • Early symptoms are puffy eyes and a running nose.