Yellow-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis denticulata)

Short answers

Yellow-footed tortoise: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 400×200 cm floor space for one animal; for a pair from 460×200 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report).

Yellow-footed tortoise: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–30 °C, basking spot 35–38 °C, at night 22–25 °C.

Yellow-footed tortoise: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed, moderate (a forest species, Ferguson zone 2).

Yellow-footed tortoise: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 50–80 years.

Yellow-footed tortoise: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–30 °C

Night temperature

22–25 °C

Basking spot

35–38 °C

Humidity

70–90 % (tropical rainforest)

UVB

UVB needed, moderate (a forest species, Ferguson zone 2)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 400×200 cm floor space for one animal; for a pair from 460×200 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report)

Substrate

Damp forest floor, coco, leaf litter and bark with hides

Feeding

Food

Omnivorous with a plant focus: greens, windfall fruit plus occasional animal food (carrion, snails, insects)

Feeding interval

adults plant food 3–4×/week, animal food only rarely

Key facts

Adult size

40–70 cm (regionally variable; usually ~40 cm, large specimens considerably bigger)

Life expectancy

50–80 years

Origin

Northern South America, the Amazon rainforest (Brazil, the Guianas, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru among others)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II, EU Regulation Annex B; proof of origin required

Brumation

None (tropical, warm and humid all year)

Cohabitation

Keep them singly; the males perform ritual fights. One male plus females only with a great deal of space; never two males

Notes

The final size and life expectancy are often underestimated → not a beginner's species. Keepable only with a large, permanently warm and humid heated enclosure or greenhouse.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

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Related species

• Chaco tortoise (Chelonoidis chilensis) – Intermediate
• Red-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria) – Intermediate
• Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea) – Expert
• Asian forest tortoise (Manouria emys) – Intermediate to expert
• Burmese star tortoise (Geochelone platynota) – Intermediate
• Forsten's tortoise (Indotestudo forstenii) – Expert
• Elongated tortoise (Indotestudo elongata) – Intermediate
• Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Yellow-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis denticulata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 400×200 cm floor space for one animal; for a pair from 460×200 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report)), substrate (Damp forest floor, coco, leaf litter and bark with hides), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.