Product Description
From the same parents that produced our Black Cherry Head last year, this crazy colored little tortoise is even nicer in your hand than the photos... It's belly is just as deeply colored as last year's Black Cherry Head, and with spotting like a leopard tortoise, this one is even brighter colored than last year's Black Cherry Head, and is truly unique... It's description and care is the same as for our Black Cherry Head and follows:
Two years ago, we hatched our first Black Red Footed Tortoise, and naturally we wondered if it was possible to hatch a Black Cherry Head... we've never heard of one - and our breeding colony has no history of producing anything dark - so it was only something for our imaginations...
Then, on February 20th 2010, we hatched this very unusual tortoise from a small clutch of normal looking Cherry Heads - it's skin, plastron (bottom shell) and carapace (top shell) are all much darker than a normal Cherry head - and it's markings look more like a Leopard Tortoise than a Red Foot. At just over 3 weeks old, he's (it's clearly a male) doing very well - so we took a few shots to show him off... His behavior and requirements are identical to those of normal Cherry Heads, and follows:
Cherry Headed Red-footed Tortoises are the inhabitants of the exotic Jungles of the Caribbean, central and south America. They are quite intelligent, they have good memory and learn rapidly where and when food is available; and where shelter and basking is to be found. They have a strong sense of smell, and their sense of touch includes even the slightest contact with their shell.
Grasses, clover hay, dark, leafy greens, (except for spinach) cactus, carrots and mixed vegetables are all good for Red-footed Tortoises. Sweet, red fruits are their favorites. Supplements that are high in calcium and low in phosphorus, are best for this hearty species.
Cherry Head Red-footed Tortoises do very well in community settings. With a little extra care, hatchlings thrive with other tortoises. Shallow, warm water soaking every third day, a warm basking spot and plenty of food is the key for these pretty starter tortoises.
Red-footed Tortoises are one of the most popular species kept the world over - and once you begin working with them, it's easy to see why.
