Red-footed Tortoise
Scientific Name
Class
Order
Range
Habitat
Estimated Wild Population
More Information
Physical Description
Red-footed tortoises were named for the red-and-orange markings scattered across their limbs and face. They have bumpy, concave, greenish-brown shells and display upraised points on their central plates. These tortoises can reach up to 14 inches in length. As omnivores, they feed primarily on fruit, greens, plants, vegetables, and dead animals. After breeding, females bury their eggs in nests along the forest floor.
Interesting Fact 1
Red-footed tortoises communicate primarily through head movements.
Interesting Fact 2
To attract a mate, males fight for dominance, which can include mounting their opponents and flipping them onto their back.
Interesting Fact 3
Immediately upon hatching, newborns must dig their way out of their nest and fend for themselves. Few individuals survive per clutch, but adults can live up to 50 years.
Commitment to Care
Lincoln Park Zoo prioritizes individual well-being over everything else. Guided by scientific research, staff and volunteers work to provide the best welfare outcomes for each individual in the zoo’s care.
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Wish List
The Wish List is full of one-of-a-kind items for the zoo’s animals, including nutritious snacks and enrichment items to keep them active and healthy.
Take Action With Us
Wildlife face many daunting challenges—some global, like planet-wide climate change, and some that affect individuals, like an animal ingesting plastic—but now is not the time to despair. None of these problems are too big for us to come together and solve.
