REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 8

REPTILIAN TUESDAY# 8

Who’s excited to meet another reptile on this Reptilian Tuesday? We definitely are and we have a great tortoise for you today! Tortoises may be slow but they sure are awesome! Besides who won that race with the hare? Let’s meet this great animal…

MEET THE RED FOOTED TORTOISE!

Range/Habitat: North-Central South America/forest edges, savannas, grasslands

Diet: Herbivore: leaves, flowers, plants and the occasional bug

Length/Weight: 16-20”/up to 25 lbs

Conservation Status: Endangered

Fun Facts:

• Red Footed Tortoises have red- yellowish spots on their legs and their scutes. Scutes are the coverings on turtles and tortoise shells; they are made up of keratin, the same protein that makes up your nails and hair.
• They can live up to 50 years.
• Male red footed tortoises are smaller around the mid-section; it looks like they have a waist. If you look at them from above they have an hourglass shape.
• Female red footed tortoises lay eggs. They can lay up to 15 eggs per clutch.

Red footed tortoises are really neat! They are popular to keep as pets. Would you like a tortoise as a pet? You have to do your homework and learn how to take care of them. Exotic pets, like tortoises and snakes need special habitats, food and care. We met a red footed tortoise at Zoo Atlanta who’s shell was misshapen and heavy because his owner fed him dog food. It’s really important to know how to take care of your pet!