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Characteristics Reptiles belonging to the chelonian order (family of testudininate family) have a convex hoof (a bowed shell) and thick legs. The shell is a bony structure shaped by the vertebrae from the thorax and ribs. It works as a protective box in which the animal hides in when is disturbed. Tortoises can grow to almost 70 cm in straight length when they are around 80 years old. It's very common them to reach the age of 100 years old The red-footed tortoise (geochelone carbonaria) has a dark carapace with lighter patches of yellow in the centers of the scutes and around the outside edges of the shell. There are two kinds of red-footed tortoise. One has red head and red scales on the paws and can reach 18kg. The other has a yellow head, red scales on the paws and can weight 40kg The yellow-footed tortoise (geochelone denticulata) is very similar to the red-footed tortoise. The main difference is that this one has both head and paws yellow and a black nose. Predators Foxes, dogs, teius (a kind of lizard), rats and skunks always chase the red-footed tortoises. If you keep Tortoise in captivity, make sure to cover it with a net to avoid the entrance of these predators. CAUTION: If doesn't rain during the eclosion time, it's important to irrigate the superficial layer of the ground (approximately 10 cm of depth), to facilitate the exit (out) of the youngling. In 1996, we from Santa Rita Tortoise farm had to use this technique due to a long period of drought. Two hour after we irrigated the area we had 1.036 newborn tortoises. Habitat e Geografic Location: The red-footed tortoise (geochelone carbonaria) can be easily found in the Northeast, Middle West, Southeast and South of Brazil. The yellow-footed tortoise (geochelone denticulata) is more commonly seen in the Amazon rainforest.
Breeding Males will begin to attempt to mate when they are about 6 years old. The matching occurs in spring when the male tortoises tend to walk on the females. He strikes the lower anal region of his plastron against the rear of the female's carapace by pumping his rear legs in and out. It´s common the male have his penises in contact with the soil. If the soil is abrasive it can result in serious wounds. Sometime between April to June (depending on the place) females will begin to carefully search for a suitable site to dig their nests. During this time the males should be taken to another place to not disturb the females.
Digging a hole to put the eggs is sometimes very difficult for the female. The soil may not be too dry (female use to urinate to wet the soil to facilitate the digging). Make sure to provide them a flat and sandy site.
fter the female has found a perfect site, it will lay 2 to 5 eggs (red-footed tortoise) or from 10 to 15 eggs (yellow-footed tortoise). They always camouflage the nest with plants, leaves, grass, etc. During this period you might find some eggs that are outside. You must carefully dig a hole and put them in a correct position. Generally, the holes only have room for 10 eggs and they should be covered with 5cm of sand and the nest must not be directly under the sun.
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