The red footed tortoise, the most popular species in captivity, is named for its distinctive reddish-pink feet. These foot pads are shaped like disks with a white line on the bottom.
In the wild, these turtles frequent dry habitats such as dunes, sandbars, and shallow waters. They prefer open water streams and ponds but do not reside in large ones as they prefer a retreat where they can be secretive.
Their preferred habitat is a slight elevation with plenty of rocks and cover. They are known to utilize hiding places such as underground structures and natural slopes.
Because these turtles do not inhabit very large habitats, it is important to create a suitable habitat for them. You can do this by finding a location where you feel comfortable with your turtle and what kind of environment he or she prefers.
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Buy a red-footed tortoise from a reputable source
If you have a short range red-footed tortoise in need of a new home, you should consider buying a male or female turtle.
Short-range red-footed tortoises are rare and valuable. A valid reason to get a short-range turtle is for pet purposes or for educational purposes in the classroom.
For example, one school project was creating a habitat for the turtle and doing research on it. Or, it could be used in an educational application for children as they learn about nature andizards.
Male red-footed turtles are much larger than the female and can deliver some serious back pain if you try to move them. It is recommended that you only buy one gender of turtle so that they learn how to find their new home using their natural behaviors.
Make sure you have the correct housing for your tortoise
Your red footed tortoise should have a large, natural shell that it can retreat into to escape predators. A large, natural shell helps the tortoise maintain its strength and size.
The amount of space your tortoise is given in its habitat should be enough to allow it to flourish. A small habitat can be too easy for a tortoise, as it may not take enough time to explore and thrive.
A good place to start looking for a new home for your pet is at the local zoo or botanical garden. There may be someone who has recently lost their red footed tortoise and they may have an open mind about adopting a new species of turtle.
Make sure you ask about acclimation times, if your pet has any medical conditions, or if they are comfortable in general environment.
Provide plenty of sunlight
Your red-legged tortoise should have a minimum of 30–35% day time activity. This includes walking, running, climbing, digging, and typical behaviors like foraging or browsing the soil.
Dark times require more sunlight, so make sure you provide enough area for him to get his share of sunlight. You can do this by making a large A-Ching shaped area in your habitat. Or you can create smallish areas that are stacked together with enough space between them for him to move his skin around.
He must have at least 20–30% night time activity too. This includes keeping a lid on the television or radio, closing up any windows, and going to sleep in a comfortable situation.
A good way to ensure your red-footed tortoise gets his activity is by using sized tracks.
Offer various vegetation
The red footed tortoise needs to live in a habitat that offers some vegetation to browse. This includes both green and dried vegetation.
Many natural environments have seasonally abundant plant species, which may be useful as food or prey. These habitat patches should be large enough for the tortoise to move around in, so it can get accustomed to its new environment.
If you do not have any plants available, you can still create a suitable habitat. You just need to pay more attention to what is going on in the environment.
Red footed tortoises are slow moving creatures, so try not covering up the terrain that the tortoise needs to travel on. If you need help with this, look up how to teach yourself how to take care of animals.
Incorporate some ground cover or substrate
A red-footed tortoise needs some sort of habitat to call its own. These turtles should have a habitat that is at least one to two times longer than it is wide towered over in order to thrive.
The average red-footed tortoise will need a 0.5–1 ft (0–38 cm) thick substrate on which to walk. This must be large enough for the turtle to retreat into when seeking safety, as well as another safe place where it can lay its eggs.
Many reptile hobbyists add lengths of ¼ inch (6 millimeters) thick wood or similar materials on which the turtle can lay its eggs.
Maintain the appropriate temperature
Red-footed tortoises can easily be cared for in a solitary environment. This is due to the red Footed Tortoise’s typical warm underground retreat.
Their requirements for temperature where they live are very strict. They need to have an ambient temperature of at least 60°F (15°C) annually, and they must have temperatures in the low 80s (30 percent humidity) throughout the day.
To maintain this temperature, rotating your habitat every year is a good idea. You can buy kits that do this for you, or you can build your own from scratch. Rotating the environment helps prevent significant water loss, which would reduce future needs for shelter.
Another tip is to never let water sit in your habitat.
Provide clean water with adequate moisture content
Red-footed tortoises need a secure place to stay. If you do not have enough space for them, you can try putting up a roof or casement over the tank.
Red-footed tortoises are large turtles that require a large tank to live in. A red-footed tortoise could easily spend a year’s worth of water drinking and nesting in one tank, especially if you provide it with adequate water and climate control.
You can buy red-footed turtles as small as 4 inches or 5 inches and as large as 8 inches. Although they may not look like they need much space, they require some to safeguard themselves in. A small space is needed to cover and protect themselves, so that they can reproduce and raise their young.
A suitable habitat for a red-footed turtle is usually half full water bowl sized with enough space for movement, basking area, and possibly food supplies.
Keep your tortoise healthy by maintaining high humidity and keeping a stable temperature
Red-footed tortoises need a lot of moisture to maintain their semi-dry climate. As the name suggests, they have red feet, which contributes to moisture consumption!
Red-footed tortoises are unique in that they have two distinct shells. The primary shell is made of calcium carbonate, or rock, around which the tortoise winds its web. The secondary shell is a cushioned structure made of wetland mud and grass.
These turtles travel from one habitat to the next using their secondary shell as a vehicle. Their population is very sensitive to human activity, so it is important to keep them safe.
It is common for people to house their turtles in small plastic tanks. This can be helpful for housing needs such as mobility or display size. However, we ask that you keep enough water and food available for your turtle.