Chelonoidis carbonarius

(Spix, 1824)

Vernacular names
English : Red-footed tortoise
French : Tortue charbonnière à pattes rouges

Classification
Class : Reptilia
Order : Testudines
Family : Testudinidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach a maximum carapace length of 40 cm. Carapace almost rectangular and dome-shaped. Dark grey carapace with yellow scale centers. Dark brown limbs and with red and yellow scales. Head covered with yellow scales.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in South America, from south Nicaragua and Panama to Colombia, south to Brazil (except from central-east), Argentina and Bolivia. Lives in grasslands, forests (both dry and humid) and savanna.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NOT LISTED
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species has been successfully introduced around the Caribbean islands. It remains vulnerable to overtrapping for the pet trade.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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