Red Footed Tortoise Scientific Name

The scientific name for this tortoise species is Chelonoidis carbonaria.

Red Footed Tortoise Description

These tortoises derived their name from the reddish scales that cover their legs. Here is a general description of the tortoises of this species:

Size: The carapace length of adult Red Footed Tortoises generally ranges from 25.4 cm to 35.6 cm (10 inches to 14 inches). They can grow up to 40 cm (16 inches) in some rare cases. The female tortoises of this species usually have longer and heavier carapace than the males.

Weight: The weight of these tortoises ranges between 15 and 20 pounds with the males growing heavier than the females.

Carapace: Both male and female Red Foots develop a mid-body construction which gives them an “hourglass” appearance from a top view. This hourglass figure or “waist” is more defined in male Red Footed Tortoises than in females. Like other tortoises, the male Red Foots have concave plastrons.

Head: Their head is covered by yellow red or orange scales. They also have bright yellow markings on their lower jaws along with a horizontal bar behind their eyes.

Picture 1 - Red Footed Tortoise

Legs: They have four limbs covered in red scarlet orange or yellow scales.

Tail: The tail of the male tortoises of this species is longer and wider than the females.

Red Footed Tortoise Distribution

These tortoises are found in the extreme southern regions of Central America as well as northern and central South America. Their distribution range includes Venezuela, Panama, Brazil, Colombia, French Guyana, Surinam, Guyana, Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia. This species has been introduced in different islands of West Indies. They can be found in places like Barbados, Trinidad and Saint Lucia.

Red Footed Tortoise Habitat

They inhabit all types of forest habitats including rainforests, temperate forests savannahs and dry thorn forests. They also live in grasslands developed from various agricultural practices of man. There are considerable amounts of disagreements about whether this species prefer savannas and forest edges or dry forest areas and grasslands. Some people even suggest humid forests as their preferred habitat.

Red Footed Tortoise Diet

These tortoises are mainly herbivorous with their diet consisting of weeds, grasses and various types of fruits and berries. They also feed on different small insects and worms.

Red Footed Tortoise Behavior

The tortoises of this species have an interesting behavior pattern:

• These tortoises are usually most active during and after rainstorms.
• They like to remain submerged in mud puddles during hot summer days.
• The male Red Footed Tortoises are known to make a clicking sound during mating and courtship.
• This peaceful tortoise species is not aggressive towards other tortoises.
• They are quite intelligent and have a friendly attitude towards humans.

Red Footed Tortoise Predators

Foxes, coyotes, skunks, minks and dogs are among the common predators of this tortoise species.

Red Footed Tortoise Adaptations

Their adaptations help them survive in their natural habitat.

• The hard carapace of these tortoises makes it hard for predators to feed on them.
• Like other tortoises, their ability to retract their head into the hard carapace helps them to avoid predation.
• They can survive for several days without food and water.

Red Footed Tortoise Reproduction and Life Cycle

This species may reproduce anytime of the year; however, their mating season usually coincides with the rainy season. The male Red Footed Tortoises of a mating group fight within themselves. They attempt to turn each other over. The victorious male tortoise mates with the females.

Picture 2 - Red Footed Tortoise Picture

The female tortoises of this species lay the eggs sometime between July and September with each clutch containing 4 to 15 eggs. They dig nests in the ground to bury their eggs in order to keep them safe. The oblong eggs are approximately 2 inches x 1.5 inches in size with brittle shells. These eggs take 100 to 120 days to hatch with the ideal temperature for hatching ranging between 82 °F and 84 °F.

Red Footed Tortoise Lifespan

The average lifespan of these reptiles ranges between 40 and 50 years.

Red Footed Tortoise Pet Care

This tortoise species is a popular choice of pets with their attractive appearance and peaceful nature. However, this endangered species is protected by various state and local laws. So, it is important to check with the local laws before getting one of these tortoises as pet. Here is some important information about housing, feeding and caring for them.

Housing: These medium sized tortoises need plenty of space to move freely. A 4 ft × 6 ft tank or dog-house type enclosure is ideal for one Red Footed Tortoise. Hardwood mulches (without aromatic resins) are best for these reptiles as it is able to hold moisture while remaining dry at the surface. One can also use other types of substrates available in the market; however, wood shavings and rabbit pellets should be avoided. They should also be provided with a large dish of water and plenty of hiding places in their shelters.

Temperature: The Red Footed Tortoises prefer warm and humid climates. The night time temperature of their shelter should not be allowed to drop below 24 °C (75 °F). These reptiles prefer temperatures between 27 °C and 32 °C (80 °F and 90 °F) during daytime. They can tolerate a little higher temperature when housed outdoors. Their main basking spot should maintain a temperature of 35 °C (95 °F). The tank should be heated artificially if required.

Lighting: 12 hours of natural sunlight is the best lighting option for their tanks. However, one can use UVA/UVB lighting in case natural sunlight is not available. The wattage of the light depends on the size of the pet tortoise.

Feeding: These tortoises eat both plant-derived food and meat; however, their diet should mainly consist of greens with rich calcium contents, vegetables, fruits and flowers. One can feed them with a variety of greens including dandelion greens, kale and endive. Greens like spinach, collard greens and turnip should be avoided due to their high oxalic acid contents. Less than ¼ of their weekly diet should consist of various fruits including pineapples, strawberries, plums, papayas, mangoes, peaches, melons and kiwifruits. One can also feed them with various flowers like nasturtium, hibiscus, dandelions and prickly-pear flowers. It is enough to provide them with lean meat or low fat cat food once every 1-2 weeks. Variety in daily diet is nutritious for these tortoises. They should also be provided with vitamin D3 and calcium supplements regularly.

Red Footed Tortoise Interesting Facts

Here are some interesting facts about these reptiles:

• The largest recorded Red Footed Tortoise was 45 cm long.
• The Catholic Church considers tortoises as “fish” and Red Foots are consumed in large amounts during the holy week.
• They are related to the larger tortoise species known as the Brazilian giant or yellow-footed tortoise.

Red Footed Tortoise Conservation Status

This species is included in the “Endangered” category by the IUCN. Their populations in the wild are affected by various reasons including loss of habitat and hunting. Sometimes, they live in agricultural lands which make it easier for humans to spot and hunt them. The fact that they can live without food and water for many days makes them convenient for shipping. They are shipped to different South American countries where they are sold as delicacy. Exportation for the pet-trade also affects their populations; however, this is a minor threat compared to the hunting and habitat loss.

Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) protects these reptiles from getting exported from their home country without proper permits and certifications. They are also protected from hunting in numerous national parks and wildlife reserves.

Red Footed Tortoise Pictures

Here are some images of these amazing tortoises.

Picture 3 - Red Footed Tortoise Image

Picture 4 - Red Footed Tortoise Photo

Red Footed Tortoise is among the most interesting tortoise species found in America. They have fascinated humans with their appealing behavior patterns and appearance for a very long time. However, various inconsiderate actions of some individuals have turned them into an endangered species. Now, it is the duty of humans to save these wonderful reptiles from extinction.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-footed_tortoise

http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/reptilesturtles/p/redfoottortoise.htm

http://www.sandfiredragonranch.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=13

http://www.turtlesite.info/basic-information/986/Red-Foot-Tortoise.html

http://www.geochelone.com.br/usa/caracteristicas.cfm

Bearded Pygmy Chameleon Scientific Name

The Bearded Pygmy Chameleons are better known by their scientific name Rhampholeon brevicaudatus.

Rhampholeon brevicaudatus Description

This species have a less colorful appearance compared to other chameleons.

Size: These small reptiles can grow up to 8 cm (3 inches) in length including a 2 cm long tail.

Body: Male Bearded Pygmy Chameleons have a thinner body than the females along with a longer tail. Their dorsal crest is also more prominent than the females. Sometimes, they compress their body laterally producing stripes down their sides to mimic a dead leaf.

Picture 1 - Rhampholeon brevicaudatus

Color: Like other chameleons, they can change their coloration. These chameleons usually appear brown or tan being able to adopt various colors including yellow, orange, green and black.

Head: They have a small beard consisting of some raised scales below their mouth. These chameleons have a pair of independently rotating eye-sockets and a long tongue.

Rhampholeon brevicaudatus Distribution

They can be found in the Uluguru and eastern Usambara mountains in the north-eastern regions of Tanzania.

Rhampholeon brevicaudatus Habitat

They live in the evergreen rainforests in Tanzania. These small reptiles prefer shrubs and low brunches at elevations up to 1300 meters.

Rhampholeon brevicaudatus Diet

These pygmy chameleons usually feed on various types of insects including crickets, moths, wax worms, wingless fruit flies, small locusts and mantids.

Rhampholeon brevicaudatus Behaviors

These chameleons have some interesting behavior patterns:

• This species is generally active during daytime.
• They often mimic dead leaves by compressing their body while sleeping in open areas.
• The chameleons of this species often change color in order to blend into their background.
• They are known to change color during courtship as well as to show their emotions.

Rhampholeon brevicaudatus Predators

Different snake species like the Vine Snake and the Boomslang Snake are among the principal predators of this species. Various birds including shrike, hornbill, coucal and hawk are also known to prey on these pygmy chameleons.

Rhampholeon brevicaudatus Adaptations

The adaptations of this species help them to survive in their natural habitat:

• They can mimic dry dead leaves making it hard for the predators to find them.
• These reptiles also use their ability to adopt vibrant colors for intimidating their potential predators.
• They can avoid predation by changing their color and blending into the background.
• Their independently rotating eye-sockets make it easier to detect and catch preys.
• These chameleons can hunt easily using their incredibly long tongue.

Rhampholeon brevicaudatus Reproduction

This species becomes reproductively mature between two to three months of age. They can reproduce all year round. Female Rhampholeon brevicaudatus can retain sperm. The females dig holes to lay the eggs in them. Each clutch contains somewhere between 4 and six eggs.

Picture 2 - Rhampholeon brevicaudatus Photo

Rhampholeon brevicaudatus Lifespan

The average lifespan of this species is between 3 and 5 years.

Rhampholeon brevicaudatus as Pets

The Bearded Pygmy Chameleons are a popular choice of pet as they are not poisonous and it is quite easy to take care of them. They can be housed in pairs with one male and one female or as trios with one male and two females. This species can be great choice for those with little experience of keeping chameleons. They can be very interesting as pets being great fun to watch.

Housing: A 10 to 15 gallon tank is adequate for a pair of these chameleons while trios can be kept in a 20 gallon tank. The substrate of the tank should consist of a 3 cm thick layer of soil and a layer of coconut fiber and tree bark. It should be deep enough for the female Rhampholeon brevicaudatus to be able to dig holes for laying eggs.

Temperature: The temperature of the tank should ideally be somewhere between 70 °F and 80 °F during daytime. The ideal nighttime temperature should be around 65 °F. It is not recommended to let the temperature go anywhere beyond 80 °F as that will result in overheating which might even cause the death of these pygmy chameleons.

Humidity: It is ideal to keep the tank humidity around 70% by using two heavy mists per day.

Lighting: Normal fluorescent or halogen lightings can be used as they are beneficial for these reptiles. It is not known whether UV lights are especially beneficial for them; however one can use UVA or UVB lights as they are not harmful.

Feeding: One can feed them with a wide range of insects including crickets, worms and flies. Their diet should mainly consist of small crickets. They can occasionally be provided with wax worms and silk worms as treats. Adult Rhampholeon brevicaudatus chameleons prey on larger insects than the juveniles.

Handling: Like any other chameleon species, they should not be handled unless necessary.

Temperament: These chameleons are quite peaceful in nature.

Rhampholeon brevicaudatus Interesting Facts

Here are some interesting facts about this species:

• This species derived their name Bearded Pygmy Chameleons from the beard-like formation on their chin.
• The tongue of a Rhampholeon brevicaudatus is usually longer than its body.
• It is a common misconception that they use their ability to change their color for camouflage, but actually they use this color changing ability for courting and showing emotions.
• Their color darkens when they are under stress.

Rhampholeon brevicaudatus Conservation Status

Rhampholeon brevicaudatus populations are lessening in number due to various reasons like loss of habitation and de-forestation.

Rhampholeon brevicaudatus Pictures

Here are some images of these pygmy chameleons:

Picture 3 - Rhampholeon brevicaudatus Picture

Picture 4 - Rhampholeon brevicaudatus Image

Rhampholeon brevicaudatus is an amazing species of chameleon with interesting appearance and behaviors. They also make good pets. It is the duty of humans to conserve their population in their natural environment.

References:

http://www.exotic-pets.co.uk/bearded-pygmy-chameleon.html

http://www.herpfamily.com/docs/Bearded%20Pygmy%20Leaf%20Chameleon.html

http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_8258429_care-bearded-pygmy-chameleons.html

http://www.repticzone.com/caresheets/1934.html

http://www.ravinreptiles.co.uk/pygmycham.html