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The Red-footed tortoise (Geochelone carbonaria) has been an enduring favourite in the herpetocultural trade for years. This medium-sized South American tortoise is hardy, beautiful, and displays a variety of interesting behaviours. Although there are quite a number of Red-foot breeders in the United States (most notably in Florida ), Red-foots are still imported for the pet trade. Consequently, the price of Red-footed tortoises does not reflect their actual value as a unique and important species in South American ecology. Red-foots are protected under Appendix II of The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), meaning that this species may not be exported from its home country without a permit. Appendix II animals are not classified as threatened with extinction, but are considered sensitive to this danger if international trade is left unregulated (Levell, 1995). Although protection under CITES has some positive effects on the survival of this species, CITES regulations cannot protect the Red-footed tortoise where it is most in danger, within the boundaries of its home countries.
Natural History
Red-footed tortoises are a medium sized species. Red-foot males are larger than females in carapace length and weight, but are not wider or taller (Moskovits, 1988). As with other tortoise species, male Red-foots have a concave plastron. As Red-foots mature, both sexes develop a unique mid-body constriction (some have referred to it as a "waist") that, from a top view, gives the tortoises a decidedly hourglass appearance. This "hourglass" figure is much more developed in males than in females. Mature males also have longer and wider tails than females.
Red-footed tortoises undergo an ontogenetic colour change. Juveniles have a carapace with a pale yellow or horn ground colour, with increasing dark brown or black patches as the animal matures. Adults have a carapace with a dark brown or blackish brown ground colour with pale yellow aureole in the centre of each lateral and centre scute. Enlarged scales on the legs and tail vary from yellow to dark cherry red, the brightest colours are generally seen on adult males. Enlarged scales on the head range from pale yellow to bright red (Legler, 1963). There is considerable variation in colour over the range of the Red-foot tortoise, so no one description will accurately describe every specimen.
Although Red-foots are commonly found in relatively dry grassland and forest areas, this species is also found in humid forest habitat. There is some disagreement as to which habitat is the preferred type. Walker (1989) states that Red-foots prefer grasslands and dry forest areas, and that rain-forest habitat is most likely marginal. Other authors however, state or suggest that humid forest is the preferred habitat (Legler, 1963) (Moskovits, 1988). In the wild, Red-foots are reported as being primarily herbivorous, but also consuming a small amount of animal matter such as carrion (Moskovits, 1985).
Threats to Survival
The Red-footed tortoise is found throughout extreme southern Central America , and central and northern South America including the countries of Panama , Colombia , Venezuela , Guyana , Surinam , French Guyana, Brazil , Bolivia , Paraguay , and Argentina . The Red-foots is also found on several Caribbean islands, but it is thought that this species was introduced in the seventeenth century as a convenient food source (Prichard and Trebbau, 1984). In every country in its range, the biggest threat to the survival of Red-footed tortoises is over-hunting by man ( Walker , 1989). Red-footed tortoises are hunted extensively in their countries of origin for food. Interestingly enough, tortoises are considered "fish" by the Catholic church and during holy week, Red-foots are consumed in huge numbers. Red-foots are collected in large numbers and shipped to many different South American cities to be sold as a delicacy. The fact that Red-foots can tolerate long periods of time without food and water, an otherwise evolutionary advantage, makes this species both easy and profitable to transport. Another threat facing Red-foot populations is the omnipresent habitat loss and disturbance.
Although it has been observed that Red-footed tortoises can live on land that has been converted to agriculture (Legler, 1963), their densities are much lower than they are in natural, unaltered habitat. Tortoises living on agricultural lands are much easier to locate, so higher hunting rates may account for this difference. Exportation for the pet trade also has a negative effect on Red-footed tortoises, although it is much less of a threat to their survival than either hunting or habitat loss. The natural history of the Red-footed tortoise provides insight into two areas, the susceptibility of this species to over hunting and habitat loss, and captive husbandry and reproduction.
The Red-foot is most active after the rainy season when mating occurs. Male Red-foot tortoises engage in combat, with rival males by attempting to overturn one another. It is interesting to note than in almost every tortoise species where male combat occurs, the males are always larger than the females. This is in comparison to aquatic species, where the males are usually smaller than the females and do not engage in male to male combat. It is thought that species with male combat evolved larger males because larger males have a better chance of winning a bout and mating with a female, thus passing on their larger size to their offspring. Species with smaller males evolved because smaller males are more mobile and can mate with a large number of females, thus passing on their genes (Berry and Shine, 1980). In natural habitat, mating takes place after the rainy season, from July to September, and clutches vary from 5-15 eggs (Medem, 1962).
Red-footed tortoises and many other tortoise species, are slow to mature and do not reach sexual maturity for several years. This, coupled with a relatively low clutch size, makes the Red-footed tortoise susceptible to over hunting. With over hunting, more sexually mature animals are removed from the population than can be replaced by maturing juveniles, consequently, the overall population begins to decline. Although the Red-footed tortoise is not currently classified as endangered, if the hunting rate and habitat loss continue at their current levels, it will most likely be so in the future. Conservation efforts include the establishment and protection of wildlife reserves and national parks, where Red-footed tortoises and other animals are protected from hunting ( Walker , 1989).
Housing
Even though Red-foot tortoises are medium-sized, they still need a large area or enclosure to roam in. Three square yards (2.7 square meters) per tortoise is recommended (Rundquist, 1994). Red-foots seem to do best when housed outside in areas where the relative humidity is moderate to high, and night time temperatures do not drop below 50 degrees F (10 degrees C). If housed outside, the tortoises must be provided with shaded shelter areas. Red-foots prefer to spend the majority of their time underneath bushes or tall grass (make sure the vegetation is non-toxic).
he tortoises must be provided with a shallow pool of clean water they can soak in and drink from, as redfooted tortoises are not aquatic, they do not require a deep pool of water for captive purposes. Red-footed tortoises do not hibernate and cannot tolerate extended periods of cold temperatures. A large, shallow water pan should be available at all times.
Breeding
Red-footed tortoises are capable of producing eggs at any time during the year, although seasonal activity may be noted. One collection of tortoises kept outside in Kansas during warm weather and indoors during the colder months, laid eggs only from October to April for 7 consecutive years (Renquist, 1994). Because Red-foots are capable of producing eggs at any time, it is advisable to have a nesting chamber full of damp peat moss and sand available to the females at all times. A nesting chamber can be constructed by creating a large, open topped box with a ramp so the tortoises can enter and exit at will.
Male to male combat begins with a round of head bobbing from each male involved, and then proceeds to a wresting match where the males attempt to turn one another over. The succeeding male (usually the largest male) then attempts to mate with the females. The ritualistic head movements displayed by male Red-foots are thought to be a method of species recognition. Other tortoise species, most notably the closely related and sometimes sympatric yellow-footed tortoise (Geochelone denticulata), have different challenging head movements. Red-footed tortoises have challenging head movements that are a series of lateral jerks, by contrast, yellow-footed tortoises utilize a long sideways sweep in their displays (Auffenberg, 1965). Male Red-foots pursue walking (seeming uninterested) females until they can manoeuvre them into a position for mating. The unique body shape of the male Red-footed tortoise facilitates the mating process by allowing him to maintain his balance during copulation while the female walks around, seemingly attempting to dislodge the male by walking under low-hanging vegetation (Moskovits, 1988).
In Conclusion
Red-foot tortoise are an interesting and beautiful South American native to keep and breed. Unfortunately, over hunting and habitat loss threaten to make this species endangered in the future. Establishing viable captive breeding programs for Red-footed tortoises can help to reduce the exportation of this species from the wild, and can subsequently help to relieve some pressure off of wild populations. Even though this species is not endangered at present, reviewing the fate of other tortoise species in this genus should provide an impetus for the conservation of this South American treasure before it is threatened with extinction.
The Tortoise and The Hare
The Hare was once boasting of his speed before the other animals. 
"I have never yet been beaten," said he, "when I put forth my full speed. I challenge any one here to race with me."
The Tortoise said quietly, "I accept your challenge."
"That is a good joke," said the Hare; "I could dance round you all the way."
"Keep your boasting till you've won," answered the Tortoise. "Shall we race?"
So a course was fixed and a start was made. The Hare darted almost out of sight at once, but soon stopped and, to show his contempt for the Tortoise, lay down to have a nap.
The Tortoise plodded on and plodded on, and when the Hare awoke from his nap, he saw the Tortoise just near the winning-post and could not run up in time to save the race.
So said the Tortoise “Plodding wins the race ...!”
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