Chelonoidis carbonarius

Indoor pen / tropical tortoise table (large open terrarium). An outdoor pen is possible only in warm, humid weather and under supervision. Tall, closed vivariums are to be avoided (poor ventilation).

Minimum floor area for one adult (≈ 2 m²); provide larger for a pair or a group. Favour floor space over height. Walls at least 40-50 cm high: it is a good climber and can tip over. Shaded areas, hides and a humid 'living platform' are essential.

High, stable humidity, 70-90%. Too dry an environment is the main cause of shell pyramiding. Regular mistings, substrate kept moist and a humid/mossy hide.

A thick substrate (10-15 cm) that retains moisture and allows burrowing. Keep it moist but not waterlogged to prevent pyramiding and respiratory infections. Avoid pure sand, gravel and dusty substrates.

UVB is essential for vitamin D3 synthesis and bone health. A tropical-forest-type UVB tube or lamp at 5-6% (target UVI ~2-3 at the tortoise's level), for ~10-12 h/day. Replace the UVB source every 6-12 months depending on the model, even if it still emits light.

A large, shallow water tray, permanently accessible: the red-footed tortoise readily drinks and bathes. Regular lukewarm baths (especially for juveniles) for hydration. Clean the water daily (it often defecates in it).

Tropical South America, from Panama and Colombia to northern Argentina (Amazon basin, the Guianas, Venezuela, Brazil). It inhabits humid forest edges, wooded savannahs and transition zones.

Omnivore — Invertebrates (snails, earthworms, slugs), and occasional carrion; animal protein to be given in moderation (~once a week).

An unusual trait among tortoises: a higher protein requirement than grazers such as Testudo. Base: varied fibrous plants (grasses, leaves, edible weeds: dandelion, plantain, hibiscus, mulberry), ripe/fallen fruit in moderate amounts (mango, papaya, fig), mushrooms. Occasional animal-protein supplement. Calcium supplementation (cuttlebone available at all times) is essential; a vitamin/mineral supplement with D3 in measured amounts. Avoid excess sugary fruit and protein (risk of pyramiding and digestive disorders).

Clutch 2–15 eggs/young. Several clutches per year are possible. Incubation ~120-150 days at 28-30 °C with high humidity. Sex determination is influenced by incubation temperature (TSD). Requires a loose, warm and humid nesting site.

• Shell pyramiding (often linked to too-low humidity, excess protein and dehydration)
• Osteodystrophy / metabolic bone disease (MBD) from a deficiency in calcium, D3 or UVB
• Respiratory infections (encouraged by an environment that is too cold or poorly ventilated)
• Shell and skin rot (shell rot, fungal/bacterial infections in a waterlogged, dirty environment)
• Intestinal parasitoses (worms, protozoa), common in wild-caught specimens