How to Care for a Redfoot Tortoise

The redfoot tortoise is a medium-sized pet that will likely outlive its owner. The redfoot has a black and yellow shell, with red legs and yellow markings around its head. It does not hibernate in the winter, unlike many other species of tortoise. The redfoot is a prime choice for novice tortoise owners because of their hardy nature and low maintenance care requirements.

Things You'll Need

  • Tortoise table
  • Cypress mulch, play sand or topsoil
  • Outdoor pen
  • Sprinkler or mister
  • Water container
  • Leafy greens, vegetables, fruit and animal protein
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take your new pet to the vet as soon as possible. Transitioning between the farm or store you got it from and your home can be stressful on your tortoise, especially if it was caught from the wild before you adopted it. Get your tortoise checked out by a vet and schedule regular checkups.

    • 2

      Keep an indoor redfoot in a large tortoise table, which is basically a large, long aquarium designed to meet the habitat needs of tortoises. Redfoots are a large species, so invest in a bigger tortoise table to ensure that your pet has enough room to move around comfortably. Fill the table with cypress mulch, play sand or plain topsoil. Never use pellets, walnut shells or cat litter in a tortoise table as these substances can be harmful.

    • 3

      Keep an outdoor redfoot in an enclosed pen. An outdoor habitat should be 4-by-6 feet or larger. Redfoot tortoises are tropical reptiles, so if you live in a dry climate you'll need to supply a sprinkler or mister to increase the humidity in the air. An area with a lot of dense vegetation works well as a pen. Include a doghouse or other shelter for your tortoise.

    • 4

      Provide plenty of fresh, clean water at all times. These tortoises enjoy bathing, so provide a water container large enough for your tortoise to crawl into.

    • 5

      Feed your redfoot a varied diet that includes leafy green plants, fruits, vegetables and some animal protein. Include foods like collards, kale, dandelions, papayas, mangoes, apples, carrots and squash. Occasionally feed your pet some animal matter, such as shrimp or chicken.