Yellow-Footed Tortoise Care Guide

One name comes to mind when it comes to tortoises with beauty and longevity: the Yellow-Footed Tortoise, or Chelenoidis denticulatus. 

Of course, as you might expect, this species has plenty of yellow coloration, with distinct golden patterns on its shell (or carapace), its underside (or plastron), and even a bold streak of yellow behind each eye. 

Although, contrary to the description of its name, there’s quite a lot of color variation in its legs, which can be orange, red, and yellow. 

Considered one of the larger tortoise species, the Chelenoidis denticulatus usually grow up to two feet long. However, some specimens have been recorded as measuring up to twenty-eight inches long. 

You’ll find them most prevalent in their natural habitat, among the hot and humid, lush settings of the South American rainforests. And, if there’s enough water nearby to keep them hydrated and enough foliage to feed on, this species can live for up to an incredible fifty or sixty years.

These are diurnal reptiles, meaning they are predominantly active during daylight hours, and for these cold-blooded types, this implies dawn and dusk. 

Unfortunately, because of over-hunting in their native environments, where, sadly, they are often sold as delicacies, the Yellow-Footed tortoise has been classified as a vulnerable species. 

If, however, your interest lies in helping to reduce the threat and giving this reptilian wonder a suitable refuge, read on for some helpful tips to get you started when it comes to caring for a Yellow-Footed Tortoise. 

Housing Requirements

If you’re fortunate enough to live in a warm and humid area, a large and secure outdoor enclosure would be your best option for raising Yellow-Footed Tortoises, as this environment will most resemble their native habitat of the South American rainforest. 

Any other climate, though, will mean making a few adjustments, such as creating an appropriately sized indoor enclosure with a lighting and heating setup. 

If you are lucky enough to be rearing a Yellow-Footed tortoise hatchling, the ideal size for your indoor enclosure should measure roughly two feet by three feet. 

I’m a big fan of the Geguri Wooden Tortoise House for my tortoise hatchings. It has a pull-out plastic tray for easy sanitizing and a mesh covering that will prevent undesirables from getting into the enclosure.

For adults, on the other hand, make sure they have space at least eight feet by four feet. As far as height is concerned, ensure the walls are twelve to eighteen inches tall to avoid them climbing out.

Temperature

When raising a Yellow-Footed Tortoises indoors, you must install a basking lamp over a section of the enclosures to give them a warm area of at least eighty-five to ninety degrees Fahrenheit. 

Additionally, you will need to provide a section of the enclosure where they can cool down, plus a few places to retreat. 

If the enclosure is outdoors, again, you will need an area exposed to full sun where the tortoise can bask during the day. If daytime temperatures exceed ninety degrees Fahrenheit, ensure your tortoise has easy access to plenty of shaded and secluded areas. 

If the temperature gets below sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit at night, you may need to move your Yellow-Footed Tortoises indoors or invest in a heated night shelter such as a doghouse. 

Remember, as best as you can, your goal should be to imitate their natural habitat of the South American rainforest, where drastic changes in the weather seldom occur. 

Humidity

Always remember that Yellow-Footed tortoises love humidity. Therefore, the humidity levels in their enclosures should be between 60-80%.

Use a digital moisture meter to keep levels in check, and use a mister to regularly spray the substrate with a fine mist, especially in the morning. 

Alternatively, you may wish to invest in a reptile fogger. They’re available at most larger pet stores and are a convenient way to help you increase humidity levels in your tortoise enclosure. 

Lighting

If you plan on rearing a Yellow-Footed tortoise indoors, you’ll need to purchase a basking lamp. This will not only help to achieve the correct temperature but it can also be used to provide UV light, which is essential to tortoise health and well-being.

When setting up your basking lamp, ensure the bulb hangs around twelve inches above the top of the tortoise’s shell. These bulbs can get extremely hot, so it’s a good idea to install a dimmer switch and keep them in a ceramic base fixture for proper safety. 

Substrate and Enrichment

The ideal substrate for a Yellow-Footed Tortoise is a simple combination of equal parts play sand and organic soil, with a generous over layer of cypress mulch.

This combination is well-draining enough to avoid damp substrate but can also retain some moisture for much-needed cooling off when they burrow beneath. Avoid using builders’ sand or chemically treated materials at all costs, as this may cause digestive issues if ingested by your tortoise. 

Once the bare substrate has been mixed and placed in the enclosure, feel free to add a few well-placed edible plants and some hiding areas to shade their new environment, plus a physically and mentally stimulating atmosphere to explore. 

Diet and Nutrition

Unlike most tortoises, which are strictly vegetarian, the Yellow-Footed tortoise is an omnivore. In the wild, they are opportunistic feeders, which include the occasional invertebrate, small mammals and birds.

However, even though captive pets can eat certain meats, this should be restricted. While a small amount of protein is acceptable as an occasional treat, this should be limited to the odd piece of cooked chicken or turkey. 

Instead, aim to provide a variety of leafy greens to ensure they get plenty of fiber, vitamins, minerals and water as follows: 

Leafy Greens: Collard greens, mustard greens, kale, turnip greens, swiss chard, watercress, arugula, endive.

Weeds: Dandelion, plantain, nettle, thistle, chickweed, clover.

Flowers: Hibiscus, rose petals, nasturtium, daisies, sunflower, geraniums, pansies.

Grasses: Timothy hay, Bermuda grass, orchard grass, fescue, ryegrass

Offering a variety of options from the list above will not only ensure your tortoise gets a balanced and nutritious diet which are crucial for their overall health, it will also add interest and stimulation for captive pets. Just introduce new foods gradually and monitor the tortoise’s health and preferences.

Hatchlings and juveniles should be fed daily. Offer them as much food as they can for 20-30 minutes. Sub-adults and adults can be fed every other day. 

In addition to food, your Yellow-Footed tortoise will need a regular supply of fresh water each day. Tap water is fine, provided it is safe for human consumption. 

Put it in a shallow dish no deeper than chin-depth, and sanitize it regularly to keep it bacteria-free. 

Unsafe Foods

You should avoid giving your tortoise any food that has been sprayed with pesticides. as this can cause digestive issues, including diarrhea.

You should also avoid offering them fruit. Although they will love the taste, tortoises cannot tolerate sugar, leading to diarrhea and other digestion problems.

Like many reptiles, tortoises can have difficulty tolerating high levels of oxalate, so leafy greens such as Swiss chard, spinach, and rhubarb leaves should be avoided. Oxalates bind to calcium, making them unavailable for absorption by the body. 

This binding process results in the formation of compounds that the tortoise cannot utilize, which can lead to several health issues, including calcium deficiency.

This is particularly problematic for tortoises because they need ample calcium to develop and maintain their shells and bones. The long-term effects of a calcium deficiency can result in metabolic bone disease. This is a severe condition that can cause deformities and weakened bones.

Supplements and Vitamins

Of course, you want your Yellow-Footed tortoises to be as healthy as possible, which is why it’s important to consider giving them some essential vitamins and supplements along with their regular diet. 

Supplementing their diet with a sprinkling of calcium dust or powder during every feed is a great way to ensure they get sufficient nutrients to support shell and bone health. 

Common Health Issues

Just like most animals, tortoises are prone to infections and diseases from time to time. Most can be avoided, provided keepers are exercising good tortoise husbandry practices such as adhering to the correct type of diet, ensuring a stress-free environment, and maintaining the right amount of heat and light in enclosures.

Here’s a list of the most common health issues associated with Yellow-footed tortoises, along with details of symptoms and information about how to treat them:

If you have any concerns about the health of your tortoise it’s best to get them checked over by a qualified veterinarian who will be able to make a specific diagnosis and options for recovery. 

Handling

Like most tortoises, the Yellow-Footed species doesn’t always like being picked up, so it’s a good idea to try and maintain a hands-off approach when rearing them as much as possible. Bearing that in mind, don’t be surprised if your new pets are initially shy around you. 

The good news is that once they get to know you well and have built up trust towards you, your new pet will have different ways of showing you affection. This might include less retreating into their shell, allowing you to gently rub their head or shell, and taking food that you offer them by hand.

As tempting as it might be to hold them, this can prove quite stressful, so keep handling them to a minimum and only where necessary. 

Behavior

Tortoises are diurnal creatures, so you should see lots of daytime activity. 

In their natural habitat, they tend to be more active during dawn and dusk, where they seek out a sunny spot in the morning to warm their bodies after the cooler nights. In the early evening, they forage for food after a day of shade from the intense tropical or subtropical heat.

When you first get your tortoise, you might find that it spends much of its time retreating into its shell, but this should lessen the more it becomes accustomed to you and its surroundings. 

If you’ve had your tortoise a while, and it suddenly starts hiding away, becomes lethargic or loses its appetite, this could be a cause for concern and may be a sign of stress or anxiety.

Although it’s difficult to tell since tortoises are shy by nature, it’s worth reviewing its environmental conditions – is it getting enough heat, light, stimulation, and the proper diet, for example?

If there is a question mark over any of these areas, it’s worth getting your tortoise checked out by a veterinarian. There could be an underlying cause that is not yet presenting many physical symptoms. 

Breeding

Unlike other tortoise varieties, the Yellow-Footed species are not bound by seasonal constraints and are known to mate throughout the year. 

There are sure signs to look out for, however. Males can demonstrate aggressive behavior – wildly ramming into shells – towards each other and any potential suitors.  It is worth keeping a close eye on proceedings and consider intervening by separating them if things get too out of hand. 

After successful mating, a female Yellow-Footed tortoise can lay eggs for up to 4 months. 

The nesting process can look ritualistic and last several hours as the female prepares the nest and lays the eggs. This typically involves the female digging a nesting hole using her hind legs. 

Depending on the moisture levels in the soil, this can take a few hours up to a day, so be sure to keep the substrate moistened to help with proceedings.

After laying her eggs (expect to see anywhere from three to eight eggs), she will cover them with soil and compact the area to protect them from predators. 

The incubation period for the eggs is approximately 120 to 150 days, depending on temperature and humidity conditions. You can assist with successful incubation by transferring the eggs to an incubator that should be set to between eighty-four- and eighty-eight degrees Fahrenheit. 

After that, it’s simply a matter of waiting. The average time for hatching Yellow-Footed Tortoises is an incredible 145 days! 

Citations

• Seaworld.org – Conservation and Ecology
• Science Direct – Yellow-Footed Tortoise Reproduction
• University of New England – Yellow-Footed Tortoise Taxonomy and Diet