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Red-footed tortoise
The red‑footed tortoise is a medium‑sized tortoise native to northern South America, where it inhabits a mosaic of tropical forests, savannas, and transitional zones. Its dark, sculpted carapace and bright red or orange scales on the limbs and head make it one of the most recognisable tortoise species in the region.
Our female red-footed tortoise roams the forest floor in our Tropical House, see if you can spot her!
Class:
Reptilia
Order:
Testudines
Family:
Testudinidae
About the red-footed tortoise
Red‑footed tortoises are primarily herbivores, feeding on fruit, leaves, flowers, and fungi, though they will occasionally consume carrion or invertebrates, making their diet partly omnivorous. Their strong sense of smell helps them locate fallen fruit across the forest floor, and their slow but determined movement allows them to roam widely in search of food.
These tortoises are generally solitary, coming together mainly during the breeding season. Females lay clutches of eggs in shallow nests, and incubation can last four to six months depending on temperature and humidity.
Conservation
The red‑footed tortoise is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Populations across northern South America face threats from hunting, habitat loss, and collection for the pet trade. Forest clearance and agricultural expansion reduce available habitat, while ongoing demand in the wildlife trade places pressure on wild populations. Conservation actions include captive breeding programmes and protection of natural habitats to help safeguard the species’ future.