I. Basic information

【Chinese name】cherry-head Red footed tortoise

【English name】cherry-head Red footed tortoise

【phylum】Chordates

【Subphylum】Chordates

【Class】Reptiles

【Order】 Turtles

[Family] Tortoise

[Genus] Tortoise

[Species] Red-legged Tortoise

【 Subspecies] Cherry red-footed tortoise

[Distribution] Islands of South America and the Caribbean; Amazon River Basin, including tropical rain forests of Venezuela, Paraguay, etc.

2. Appearance characteristics

1. Body size

The cherry red-footed tortoise is small in size, only 15~20cm in length.

2. Head

The head is larger; the head has orange-red or yellow massive scales; the snout is wider and does not exceed the lower jaw; the edges of the jaws are flat and unserrated .

3. Tortoise shell

The carapace is round like a mountain bun, with an oval shape as a whole, the nail plates are evenly and neatly distributed, the edges are dark brown, and the center is bright yellow or orange-red , the edge of the plastron scutellum has yellow or white color blocks.

4. Limbs

The limbs are strong and strong, without webbed feet, and the forelimbs have sharp scales with bright orange or cherry red spots or markings. PS This is also the origin of their name.

III. Habits

1. Habitat

Cherry red-legged tortoises generally live in tropical rain forests, preferring to stay in tree holes and get hot caves and the like. They are ground-dwelling turtles and do not like cold, shady places.

2. Dietary habits

 Cherry red-footed tortoises are omnivores, but they are mainly vegetarian, eating a variety of grasses, fruits, flowers and small plants. Occasionally eat small amounts of animal food such as carrion.

3. Breeding methods

Cherry red-legged tortoises grow for 4-5 years before they can mate, and they begin to breed and mate from  July to September every year, laying eggs from 2 to 2 4 litters, each with 5 to 15 eggs, hatchlings hatch after 4 months.

4. Discrimination between male and female

1. Body size: male mature individuals are about 20-22 cm in size, female mature individuals are about 18-20 cm in size, male The turtle should appear bigger.

2. Plastron: Male red-footed tortoises have a concave plastron, while females have a flat plastron.

3. Tail: The tail of adult male turtles is longer and wider than that of female turtles.

V. Protection level

Because cherry red-footed tortoises have been popular in reptile culture trade for many years, they are often used as pets for import and export trade . Considering that unregulated international trade can easily threaten the population, the cherry red-footed tortoise is protected by Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Okay, the above is all about the cherry red-legged tortoise. You are welcome to leave a message and discuss.