Red-Foot Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonarius) Care Sheet

Quick Facts

Behavior

• Diurnal and active during the day; enjoys foraging and exploring.

• Generally calm and can be handled gently with care.

• Semi-terrestrial; may hide under foliage or burrow slightly.

• Social species but can be territorial with other tortoises if space is limited.

Enclosure Requirements

• Enclosure Size: Minimum 3–4 m² for a single adult.

• Substrate: Soil, sand-soil mix, or coconut fiber; allows digging

• Decor: Hides, rocks, logs, shallow water dish for soaking

• Humidity: 60–80%

• Temperature:

  • Basking: 32–35°C

  • Ambient: 24–28°C

  • Night: 20–24°C

• Lighting: Full-spectrum UVB essential for shell and bone health

• Ventilation: Good airflow; outdoor enclosures ideal when possible

Compatibility

• Can be housed with conspecifics if enclosure is spacious; avoid overcrowding.

• Avoid keeping with much smaller or more aggressive species.

Diet

• Omnivorous; primarily herbivorous but eats some protein:

  • Leafy greens, vegetables, flowers, fruits

  • Occasional insects, earthworms, or cooked eggs

• Feed juveniles daily; adults 4–5× per week

• Provide fresh water for drinking and soaking

Care Tips

• Provide hiding spots and shallow water for hydration and comfort.

• Maintain UVB lighting and basking temperatures to prevent metabolic bone disease.

• Spot-clean regularly; remove waste and uneaten food.

• Monitor shell and skin health; provide calcium and vitamin supplementation as needed.

Breeding

• Oviparous; females lay 2–16 eggs per clutch in warm, humid soil.

• Incubation: 90–120 days at 28–30°C depending on humidity and temperature.

• Hatchlings are independent and require small, appropriately sized food and shallow water.

Visual Quick Guide

• 🏠 Enclosure: ≥3–4 m², hides, burrowable substrate, shallow water

• 🌡️ Temp: Basking 32–35°C / Ambient 24–28°C / Night 20–24°C

• 💧 Humidity: 60–80%

• 🍴 Diet: Omnivorous (leafy greens, vegetables, fruit, occasional protein)

• 🕒 Activity: Diurnal, terrestrial, forager

• ⚠️ Stress: Provide hides, basking areas, and gentle handling

Please note: We don't ship live animals. You can order online and choose click and collect, and we will hold it for you.