Redfoot Tortoise Information

Redfoot Tortoises

General Info

Redfoot tortoises are native to northern and central South America, as well as some parts of Central America. They are lovely mid-sized tortoises that generally do not grow larger than about 14”, and live for 80-85 years. Redfoots are extremely placid and easy to maintain, which makes them popular as pets.

Habitat - For Hatchlings

The easiest way to house a tortoise is to buy an inexpensive plastic kiddie pool from Walmart. Make sure its new home is at least four times as long as its eventual adult size. Bigger is ALWAYS better. If properly cleaned and maintained, that kiddie pool will usually suffice for your tortoise's entire life.

Tortoises are ground-huggers, so keeping your substrate clean is essential. Since their primary diet includes grass and other natural plants, the most practical substrate is a layer of dirt covered by large sod sections from Lowes or Home Depot (since they don't use fertilizers or pesticides on their grass sections). Simply water the grass so it roots into the bottom layer of dirt, and you'll have a constant food source so your tortoise can graze. Be careful not to overwater the grass, though, or the grass will die. If you're able to put the kiddie pool out on your enclosed patio, you might consider drilling some small holes in the bottom to let excess water escape.

Shredded coconut bark is also an easy substrate to maintain, and will not turn moldy when moistened. It can be mixed with your layer of dirt for extra drainage, or used in one section of the habitat so your tortoise can indulge its natural instincts to burrow.

Provide a water bowl shallow enough for it to step in and out, and change its water daily. Tortoises will often defecate in the water to hide their scent from predators, so make sure to keep it clean for drinking.

UVA and UVB are a must for proper growth. To provide proper heat and UV, suspend a high-quality bulb above the habitat. (We love the ZooMed PowerSun bulbs, which provide all the necessary light, heat, and UVA/UVB in one bulb...AND they're guaranteed against defects for a full year!)

Carefully measure the ambient temperatures in the basking area and the non-basking area with a digital thermometer. Temps in the basking area should be in the lower 90s, while the cooler end should be in the mid- to upper-70s. If your house routinely gets colder than about 70 degrees, supplement the heat with a ceramic heat emitter. Avoid heat rocks--they have no thermostat controls, so they can burn a tortoise's belly. Also you should avoid using heating pads, because like most reptiles, tortoises do not have a lot of nerve endings on their plastrons (stomachs), and can overheat without realizing it. This can be fatal.

Habitat - For Adults

If you live in southern regions that are typically warm, and can provide a safe area outside where your tortoise can bask without fear of hawks, raccoons, or other predators, set up an outdoor pen where it can graze on fresh grass during the daytime. Be sure to bring it inside at night, and when the weather turns chilly, for its own safety.

If an outdoor enclosure is not an option, set aside a large area (preferably at least 10’ x 10’) in your home. A spare bedroom works very well for this. Lay down plastic sheeting to protect the floor or carpet, then layer the area thickly with a safe substrate such as coconut bark or cypress mulch. These two barks are very low-resin, so they will not injure your tortoise. Also, since they’re “wet-water” trees, they will absorb water without turning moldy.

Provide your tortoise with a spacious enclosed box where it can hide and feel secure. Many breeders install ceramic heat emitters inside the box to keep it warm at night, and on cool days.

Diet

Redfoots are herbivorous grazers. Their primary diet should be about 70% natural grasses, weeds, and leaves; 20% dark leafy leaves such as collard, turnip, or mustard greens; and 10% fresh fruits. Bananas, strawberries, watermelon, papaya, mango, and hibiscus blossoms are favorites. They can also eat some vegetables, such as carrots, squash, and green beans.

Water

Redfoots love to soak in clean water, and must have it available for drinking at all times. If you have the space for it in your outside habitat, provide yours with a kiddie pool (with one end cut away) on a slight incline that it can soak in. Remember that the water level should never be higher than its throat, because tortoises cannot swim.

Edible Plants

Redfoot tortoises will be happiest in an environment that simulates their natural habitat. The easiest way to accomplish this is to plant a variety of trees, bushes, and flowers in its pen that will not only provide ground cover for this shy tortoise, but also a wide range of tasty grazing treats.

The list of edible plants is huge, but some of the most common are: Aloe, Agave, Marigold, Cucumber, Sweet Potato, Timothy, Blackberry, Oregano, Clover, Dandelion, Blackberry, Rose, Hibiscus, Artichoke, Butterfly Bush, Yarrow, and Strawberry. A more comprehensive list can be found at http://russiantortoise.org/plant_photos.htm. Although that site primarily focuses on Russian tortoises, their diet is nearly identical to Redfoot tortoises.

Plants that are poisonous to tortoises, and should be strictly avoided, can be found at http://russiantortoise.org/toxic-plants.htm.