Chapter 9 of 9 · Red-Footed Tortoise Care Guide

Sources

Disclaimer: I'm not a veterinarian and I don't hold a degree in animal science or animal care. This guide is compiled from the published sources listed in every chapter. For a sick animal, a reptile vet is the authority.

Each source has one number throughout the guide. Sources are listed under the first chapter that cites them; later chapters list the numbers they reuse. Sources marked "hobby report" are keeper experience rather than published research.

Chapter 1: Start Here

  • [1] ReptiFiles, Red-Footed Tortoise Care Guide. reptifiles.com
  • [2] Reptiles Magazine, Red-Footed Tortoise Care Sheet. reptilesmagazine.com
  • [3] Royal Veterinary College, Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital, Red-Foot Tortoise Care factsheet (revised December 2024). rvc.ac.uk
  • [4] Dubia.com, Red-Footed Tortoise Care Sheet. dubiaroaches.com
  • [5] Riga Zoo, Red-Footed Tortoise species page (states the species is on CITES Appendix II). rigazoo.lv
  • [6] 21 CFR 1240.62, the federal 4-inch rule (defines "turtles" to include tortoises). findlaw.com
  • [7] CB Reptile, "Cherry Head tortoise for sale" page with red-footed tortoise species notes (seller page). cbreptile.com

Chapter 2: Housing and Environment

No new sources. Cited: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [16] (listed under Chapter 6).

Chapter 3: Feeding, Supplements and Water

No new sources. Cited: [1], [2], [3], [4].

Chapter 4: Handling and Behavior

No new sources. Cited: [1], [2], [3], [4].

Chapter 5: Health, Quarantine and Hygiene

New sources:

  • [8] VCA Animal Hospitals, Common Diseases of Tortoises. vcahospitals.com
  • [9] CDC, Healthy Pets, Healthy People: Reptiles and Amphibians. cdc.gov

Also cited: [2], [3].

Chapter 6: Breeding

New sources:

  • [10] Sneddon, R., Breeding Red-Footed and Yellow-Footed Tortoises, Reptiles Magazine, 2011, updated 2020. reptilesmagazine.com
  • [11] Fogel, D., Red-Footed Tortoise Breeding, Reptiles Magazine, 2011, updated 2020 (citing Rundquist 1994, Paull 1999 and Davis 1979). reptilesmagazine.com
  • [12] Niabi Zoo, Red Footed Tortoise fact sheet (PDF), 2023. niabizoo.com
  • [13] Tortoise Forum, thread "Discussion on different races of RF tortoises," 2013 (hobby report). tortoiseforum.org
  • [14] Highfield, A. C., Incubating Redfoot Eggs, Tortoise Trust Web. tortoisetrust.org
  • [15] Embryo Development and Sex Ratios in the Red-Footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonarius) at Masculinizing Temperatures, Chelonian Conservation and Biology 20(1):71–81, 2021, doi:10.2744/CCB-1441.1. kglmeridian.com
  • [16] Wiesner, C. S. and Iben, C. (2003), Influence of environmental humidity and dietary protein on pyramidal growth of carapaces in African spurred tortoises (Geochelone sulcata), Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 87(1–2):66–74. doi.org (DOI link did not load in Nov 2026; record confirmed at vetdoc.vetmeduni.ac.at)
  • [17] Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital, Pyramiding in Tortoises. azeah.com

Also cited: [5], [6], [9].

Chapter 7: Genetics, Localities and Morphs

New sources:

  • [18] Vargas-Ramírez, M., Maran, J. and Fritz, U. (2010), Red- and yellow-footed tortoises, Chelonoidis carbonaria and C. denticulata (Reptilia: Testudines: Testudinidae), in South American savannahs and forests: do their phylogeographies reflect distinct habitats? Organisms Diversity and Evolution 10:161–172, doi:10.1007/s13127-010-0016-0. iucn-tftsg.org
  • [19] Tortoise Forum, thread "Redfoots vs Cherryheads," 2018 (hobby report). tortoiseforum.org
  • [20] Tortoise Forum, thread "Dwarf cherryhead vs regular redfoot," 2008 (hobby report). tortoiseforum.org
  • [21] MorphMarket Community, thread "Cute baby alert: Redfoot tortoises are hatching" (hobby report). morphmarket.com

Also cited: [5], [6], [8], [12], [13].

Chapter 8: New Owner Checklist

No new sources. Cited: [1], [2], [3], [4], [9].

Last revised November 6, 2026.