Yellow-footed tortoise — Care Sheet & Morphs

Husbandry requirements

Yellow-footed tortoise — origin: The Amazon basin and northern South America (Brazil, the Guianas, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Trinidad); lowland tropical rainforest and forest edges..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min22 °C

Cool side24–26 °C

Warm side28–30 °C

Basking spot31–33 °C

A humid tropical species. A moderate, diffuse hot spot (it avoids the full midday sun); the animal must always be able to retreat to shade and cooler areas. Avoid dry heat. Do not stay below ~20 °C at night for prolonged periods.

Enclosure (adult)

300 × 150 × 60 cm

A large closed terrarium / very large tortoise table, or a planted, heated outdoor pen kept humid in a suitable climate. A non-climbing but burrowing and powerful species: solid, buried walls.

Minimum floor dimensions for ONE adult; larger is always preferable. A planted, sheltered outdoor pen is ideal as soon as temperatures allow. Provide shaded areas and humid refuges.

Humidity

70–90 %

High, stable humidity is essential; too dry an environment causes pyramiding and respiratory problems. Humid areas (sphagnum) and regular misting/watering.

Substrate

Coco soil/fibreOrchid bark or cypress mulchForest-soil mix (soil + leaf litter)Sphagnum / moss for the humid areas

A deep, loose substrate that retains moisture, covered with leaf litter to maintain humidity and provide cover. Keep it moist without waterlogging in order to prevent pyramiding and skin/shell problems.

UVB

Optional

Yes. UVB is essential (T5 HO tube 5-7% or equivalent) above the hot spot, or exposure to unfiltered natural sunlight. An understorey species: provide shaded areas so it can regulate its own exposure. Replace UVB tubes every 6-12 months.

Water source

Always available

A shallow water bowl permanently available for drinking and bathing (easy access, no risk of drowning). Regular lukewarm baths, especially for juveniles, to ensure hydration.

Origin

Testudinidae

The Amazon basin and northern South America (Brazil, the Guianas, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Trinidad); lowland tropical rainforest and forest edges.

Feeding & health

Diet

Omnivore / frugivore (predominantly frugivorous) — Slow invertebrates (snails, slugs, worms) and carrion, in occasional amounts

Base: varied fallen fruit, mushrooms, flowers, foliage and plants; it grazes less than savannah tortoises. Animal protein very occasionally (about once a week or less). Supplement regularly with calcium (+/- D3). Avoid excess protein and overly sugary diets; do not routinely feed dog/cat food.

Breeding

Oviparous

Clutch 4–12 eggs/young. Large spherical eggs; several clutches per year are possible in a tropical setting. A CITES-listed species (Appendix II; EU: Annex B): legal documents are mandatory for keeping and transfer. Favour captive-bred animals, as wild-caught specimens are fragile, stressed and often heavily parasitised.

Health watch points

Osteodystrophy / MBD (deficiency in calcium, D3 or insufficient UVB)
Shell pyramiding (too-low humidity, excess protein, overly rapid growth)
Respiratory infections (temperature too low or a dry environment)
Heavy internal parasitism (common in wild-caught specimens)
Dehydration and renal/bladder complications (stones)

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 2 documented genes for Yellow-footed tortoise.

Albino (T-) amelanisticRec
HypomelanisticDom

Pairing calculator

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Probabilities per gene (independent loci).

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Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the yellow-footed tortoise.

How big can an adult yellow-footed tortoise get?▾

It's one of the largest mainland tortoises: the carapace typically measures 40 to 60 cm as an adult, with record specimens exceeding 80 cm. It's a massive, heavy-bodied animal, and females are often the largest.

How much space does it need in captivity?▾

For a single adult, allow at least 3 m long by 1.5 m wide on the floor, in a large closed terrarium, a very large tortoise table, or better still an outdoor pen that's planted and heated if the climate allows. It's not a climber, but it is a powerful digger, so walls need to be solid and buried.

What temperatures should be recreated for this Amazonian tortoise?▾

The gradient stays moderate and diffuse: 24-26 °C on the cool side and 28-30 °C on the warm side, with a hot spot of 31-33 °C - never dry heat or direct full sun, since in the wild it actually avoids the midday sun. At night, don't let it drop below 22 °C for long.

Why is humidity so important for this species?▾

Because it lives in humid tropical rainforest and needs high, stable humidity of 70 to 90%; otherwise it develops shell pyramiding and respiratory problems. Mist regularly, keep the substrate moist in depth, and provide a bed of dead leaves along with sphagnum moss areas.

What substrate should be used?▾

A deep, loose mix that retains moisture works well: potting soil or coco fibre, orchid bark or cypress mulch, possibly a forest-soil blend with dead leaves, topped with leaf litter to maintain humidity and offer cover.

What does a yellow-footed tortoise eat?▾

Its diet is predominantly frugivorous: a variety of fallen fruit, mushrooms, flowers and foliage form the base, with much less grazing than savannah tortoises. Animal protein - snails, slugs, worms, carrion - should stay occasional, about once a week or less, alongside regular calcium supplementation.

Does it need UVB?▾

Yes, it's essential: a T5 HO 5-7% UVB tube (or equivalent) above the hot spot, replaced every 6 to 12 months, or failing that, exposure to unfiltered natural sunlight. Since it's an understorey species, also provide shaded areas so it can regulate its own exposure.

Does it need a water point?▾

Yes, a shallow water bowl should always be available, both for drinking and bathing, without any risk of drowning. Regular lukewarm baths are recommended, especially for juveniles, to help with hydration.

Is it a sociable tortoise that's easy to handle?▾

No, it's a shy, reserved species that stresses easily, much less outgoing than its red-footed cousin. It needs dense plant cover and plenty of hiding spots, and does best when handling and disturbance are kept to a minimum.

How long does it live, and what commitment does that represent?▾

This tortoise lives 50 to 70 years, sometimes longer with good captive care: acquiring one is a commitment spanning several decades, well beyond a casual adoption, and long-term succession needs to be planned for.

Are there any specific legal rules to be aware of?▾

Yes, the species is listed under CITES Appendix II (Annex B in the EU), which requires legal documentation for keeping and transferring it. It's best to favour captive-bred animals, since wild-caught specimens are often fragile, stressed and heavily parasitised.

What are the main health risks?▾

Metabolic bone disease (a deficiency in calcium, D3 or UVB) and shell pyramiding (humidity too low, excess protein) are the most common issues. Also watch for respiratory infections in cold conditions, internal parasites in wild-caught animals, and dehydration, which can lead to bladder or kidney stones.

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