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Tropical Tortoise Care Sheet

Tropical Tortoise Care Sheet

Developed with and approved by a qualified veterinarian.

Care recommendations cover a variety of species, including:

  • Cherry-head red-footed – Geochelone carbonaria
  • Bell's hinge-back – Kinixys belliana
tropical tortoise care sheet

Table of contents

 

Overview

As one of the most popular pet tortoises, cherry-head red-footed tortoises are medium-size tortoises native to rainforests and grasslands of South America who are also found in Trinadad and Barbados in the Caribbean. Bell’s hinge-back tortoises are medium-size tortoises who originated in the grasslands of Africa.  They are fairly easy to take care of and are considered good family pets for first-time reptile pet parents. 

Typical appearance and behavior

Cherry head red-footed tortoises:

  • These reptiles are generally active and friendly and accept handling once they are acclimated to a new habitat
  • They are smaller variants of red-footed tortoises
  • They are named for the reddish orange scales they have on their legs and their heads
  • These tortoises are known for their beautiful shells that are bumpy in texture and dark brown to black with orange and red patterning
  • Having one is a lifelong commitment, as pet red-footed tortoises have been known to live more than 50 years with proper care
  • They grow fairly large—up to 14 inches long. Males are larger than females. Males also have a more concave plastron (bottom shell) than females to accommodate breeding. They are slightly smaller than their red-footed tortoise cousins
  • Males and females communicate through head movements
  • These tortoises have a strong sense of smell and quickly learn where food, hiding spots and basking areas are in their enclosures
  • These tortoises are not highly territorial and can be housed together in groups; males may fight over females during breeding season

Bell’s hinge-back tortoises:

  • These tortoises are named for the hinge they have on their carapace (upper shell) that allows them to close their hind ends up from the top, unlike other tortoises and turtles, who have hinges on their plastron
  • They are heavy-bodied tortoises who grow up to 11.5 inches long. Females grow larger than males, but males have longer tails
  • Their carapace is tan to dark brown and curves sharply down at the back, with very flat scutes (bony plates on the shell). The front of the carapace slopes toward the tortoise’s head to channel rainwater to their mouths for drinking
  • Their plastron is yellow with black spots in the center of each scute, and their skin is yellowish brown
  • Males should never be housed with other males, as they are highly territorial and will fight. In general, these tortoises are best housed individually
  • While they are diurnal (active during the day), when it is cooler they often prefer to sit in the shade rather than bask in the sun. Many also are active in the evening

Characteristics

Care Difficulty Intermediate
Average Life Span Up to 50+ years with proper care, depending on the species
Average Adult Size 9-14 inches long, depending on the species
Diet Omnivore
Minimum Habitat Size Minimum 3’ x 1.5’ for one juvenile
Minimum 3’ x 6’ x 16” for one adult

Supplies

Habitat

Habitat size

These tropical tortoises’ relatively large size requires them to have ample space to explore and exercise. A single juvenile needs a minimum habitat size of 3’ x 1.5’, while an adult requires a minimum habitat size of 3’ x 6’. If not covered with a securely fitting screen lid to prevent escape, habitat walls should be at least 16 inches high to hinder climbing out. Climate permitting, these tortoises should be housed outdoors so they have access to fresh air and direct sunlight. Outdoor enclosures should be sturdy with opaque walls to lessen the temptation to escape. Walls should extend a few inches below ground level to help prevent tortoises from digging out. 

Under ideal conditions, these tortoises will grow rapidly over five to 10 years and then growth will slow.

Building your habitat

  • Décor – Tortoises need hiding areas (such as commercially available hide boxes and areas of dense vegetation or hay in which to burrow) to feel secure and to find shelter from the heat. If housing more than one tortoise in an enclosure, provide multiple hide boxes. Tortoises also need an easily accessible shallow bowl of water in which they can soak and drink. Water should not be too deep, or tortoises can drown. Large flat rocks can be provided for tortoises to climb on and wear down their nails
  • Humidity- Maintain habitat humidity at 70 to 90% by misting daily as needed, or use a commercially available fogger or misting system for larger habitats. Monitor humidity with a humidity gauge. Adequate humidity is needed for tortoises to stay hydrated and for proper respiratory tract health
  • Substrate – Tropical tortoises need substrate that will hold humidity and that is mobile so that they can dig in it. Cypress mulch, coconut fiber, pelleted paper-based bedding and untreated peat moss all may be used as substrate and should be at least 4 inches deep to allow digging and burrowing. For large outdoor enclosures, fertilizer- and pesticide-free soil may be used, as long as tortoises are fed from feeding stations off the ground to help prevent accidental ingestion of substrate. Tortoises commonly ingest small-particle-size substrates such as soil, sand and fine bark, which are indigestible if consumed and can lead to life-threatening gastrointestinal tract obstruction
  • Temperature – Tortoises require a temperature gradient to regulate their body temperatures. Daytime temperatures should range from 85 to 95°F in the warm/basking zone to 75 to 80°F in the cool zone, with nighttime temperatures not lower than the low 70s°F. Monitor temperatures with at least two thermometers. Use an incandescent light or ceramic heat bulb (attached to a thermostat to regulate temperatures) as a primary heat source. Hot rocks should not be used as a heat source, as they can burn reptiles
  • Lighting – Provide full-spectrum ultraviolet(UV)B rays for 10 to 12 hours a day to expose tortoises to UVB rays to enable them to make vitamin D in their skin so that they can absorb dietary calcium. An incandescent day bulb, along with a UV bulb, also provides clear distinction between day and nighttime for tortoises to perform their normal behaviors. Change UV bulbs every six months, as their potency wanes Tortoises housed outside receive UVB exposure through direct sunlight

Cleaning your habitat

  • Thoroughly clean and disinfect water and food bowls daily. The habitat should be spot-cleaned daily to remove droppings and discarded food. Thoroughly clean the habitat at least once a week:
  • Place the tortoise in a secure habitat
  • Scrub the tank and furnishings with a reptile habitat cleaner or 3% bleach solution
  • Rinse the tank and all furnishings thoroughly with water, removing all traces of habitat cleaner or bleach smell
  • Dry the tank and furnishings and add clean substrate before putting tortoise back into the habitat

Appropriately sized habitat

Substrate

Décor

Heating & lighting

Feeding

A well-balanced tropical tortoise diet consists of:

  • A combination of high-calcium greens, plus high-fiber plant matter and smaller amounts of animal protein
  • Greens and fiber should make up approximately 70% of their total daily diet. Appropriate greens include dandelion greens, escarole, kale, chicory, clover, endive and mustard greens, plus carrots, carrot tops, cactus, squash, peppers and other vegetables. High-fiber plant matter includes Timothy or alfalfa hay or untreated grass clippings
  • Fruit should make up no more than 10% of their total daily diet, including berries, melon, mango and grapes
  • Sources of animal protein (not to make up more than 20% of total daily diet) include earthworms, occasional frozen/thawed pinkie mice, hard-boiled eggs and small amounts of low-fat/high-fiber dog food
  • Commercially available tortoise diets also may be offered in moderation


Things to remember when feeding your tropical tortoise:

  • Fresh, clean water should be available all the time. Tortoises tend to defecate in their water bowls, so bowls should be disinfected and water replenished daily
  • The key to keeping tortoises healthy and interested in eating is to provide a variety of food
  • Be sure to use calcium without vitamin D, as turtles are sensitive to over-supplementation of vitamin D in their diets
  • Feed juvenile tortoises daily and adults every one to two days depending on their age, size and activity level. Finely chop vegetables
  • Sprinkle food with calcium supplement without vitamin D daily and a multivitamin supplement once a week
  • Discard vegetables and fruits not eaten within 10 hours

Tortoise food

Food & water bowls

Vitamin & supplements

Care

  • When introducing new foods, introduce only one food at a time, and observe tortoises eating from a distance, as tortoises may retreat when being watched
  • Mixing new foods in with familiar ones may encourage tortoises to try them

Particularly nervous tortoises may be fed in their hide boxes until they are acclimated

Where to buy

 Tropical tortoises are available for purchase at your local Petco Pet Care Center. Please call ahead to check availability.

Habitat mates

  • Cherry-head red-footed tortoises may be housed together in an enclosure. They are not typically territorial, except when males fight over females during breeding season
  • Hinge-back tortoises (especially males) are territorial and are often best not housed together. If these tortoises are housed in groups, ample space and hiding places must be present to help tortoises feel secure
  • Do not house different tortoise species together

Health

Signs of a healthy tortoise

  • Active and alert
  • Eats and passes stool regularly
  • Smooth, hard shell with no lesions, pitting or soft spots
  • Clear, bright eyes with no swelling or discharge
  • Supple skin with no sores, lesions, swellings or discoloration
  • Clear nose and vent

Red flags (If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian.)

  • Discoloration, bumps, soft spots or pitting on shell
  • Lesions, swellings or discoloration of skin
  • Lethargy
  • Abnormal feces
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Swollen eyes
  • Discharge or bubbles from eyes, nose or mouth
  • Overgrown beak
  • Swelling on the sides of the face, in the area of the ears

 

Common health issues

Health Issue Symptoms or Causes Suggested Action
Health IssueGastro-intestinal disease Symptoms or CausesRunny stools, caked or smeared stool around the vent, cloacal (colon) prolapse, weight loss and loss of appetite; may be caused by bacterial, viral or parasitic infection or nutritional imbalance. Suggested ActionConsult your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Health IssueMetabolic bone disease/vitamin deficiency Symptoms or CausesInability to absorb calcium due to insufficient UVB light or inappropriate diet or supplementation. If untreated, can lead to skeletal deformities, soft or fractured bones, swollen limbs, lethargy, decreased appetite, weight loss, seizures and death. Suggested ActionConsult your veterinarian and ensure a proper diet with appropriate vitamin and mineral supplementation, and proper lighting.
Health IssueRespiratory tract disease Symptoms or CausesLabored breathing, mucus and/or bubbles in the mouth or nose; can be caused by inappropriate habitat temperature and humidity, leading to secondary bacterial, viral or fungal infection. Suggested ActionConsult your veterinarian and ensure habitat hasi the proper temperature and humidity.
Health IssueShell infection Symptoms or CausesDiscolored, soft or foul-smelling patches or pits on the shell that can become infected with bacteria or fungus; may be caused by imbalanced nutrition or inappropriate lighting, temperature or humidity. Suggested ActionConsult your veterinarian and ensure proper nutrition and appropriate habitat lighting, temperature and humidity.
Health IssueEye infection/ abscess/conjunctivitis Symptoms or CausesSwollen, inflamed eyes and swellings on sides of head (where ear openings are); commonly caused by a vitamin A deficiency leading to secondary bacterial infection. Suggested ActionConsult your veterinarian and ensure a balanced diet with appropriate vitamin and mineral supplementation.

 

Notes and resources

Ask a Pet Care Center associate about Petco's selection of products available for the care and happiness of your new pet. All products carry a 100% money-back guarantee.

Because all reptiles are potential carriers of infectious diseases such as salmonella bacteria, always wash your hands before and after handling your invertebrate or habitat contents to help prevent the potential spread of disease.

Pregnant women, children under the age of 5, senior citizens and people with weakened immune systems should contact their physicians before purchasing or caring for invertebrates and should consider having a pet other than a reptile.

Go to the Centers for Disease Control at cdc.gov/healthypets for more information about Tortoises and disease.

The information on this Care Sheet is not a substitute for veterinary care. If you need additional information, please contact your veterinarian as appropriate.

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