Cherry Head Red-Footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonarius) – Radiant Crimson Marbling and Charming Compact Size

If you are ordering from the United States, it should be the largest size that is listed (9.0 - 9.9cm)

Bring a vibrant, prehistoric treasure into your home with the Cherry Head Red-Footed Tortoise. A distinct, smaller geographic variant of the South American Red-Footed Tortoise originating from Brazil, the "Cherry Head" is world-famous among reptile enthusiasts for its intense ruby-red or bright orange head scales, marbled dark shell, and incredibly personable, outgoing nature.

Key Features

• Intense Crimson & Scarlet Pigmentation: Showcases brilliant, cherry-red or vivid orange scales on the head, snout, and legs that stand out strikingly against a dark, beautifully sculpted carapace.

• Compact Adult Size: Remains significantly smaller than standard Red-Footed Tortoises, reaching a manageable adult shell length of 10 to 12 inches, making them far easier to house both indoors and outdoors.

• Outgoings & Personable Temperament: Renowned for their friendly, curious, and gentle disposition. They quickly learn to recognize their keepers, often coming forward during feeding times.

• Marbled Shell Aesthetics: Features a dark brown to black carapace accentuated by warm yellow or orange scute centers, creating a rich, high-contrast tropical appearance.

• Truly Omnivorous Diet: Highly adaptable feeding habits! Thrives on a wholesome mix of dark leafy greens, squash, edible flowers, tropical fruits (papaya, mango, berries in moderation), and occasional low-fat protein sources.

Essential Care & Enclosure Needs

Hailing from the humid, tropical forest floors of South America, Cherry Head Tortoises require a warm, highly humid environment to maintain smooth shell growth and optimal respiratory health:

• Spacious Enclosure: Adults require a minimum habitat footprint of 4x2 feet (for juveniles) expanding to 6x3 feet or larger (closed chamber or well-ventilated tortoise tub) for full-grown adults.

• Subtropical Thermal Gradient: Provide a focused basking zone of 90°F–95°F (32°C–35°C) alongside an overall ambient room temperature of 80°F–85°F (27°C–29°C). Nighttime temperatures should never drop below 75°F (24°C).

• High Ambient Humidity: Maintain relative humidity between 70% and 80%+. Use a deep, moisture-retentive substrate like cypress mulch, coco coir, or sphagnum moss, paired with daily misting to prevent shell pyramiding.

• Linear UVB Lighting: A T5 HO 5.0 or 6% Forest UVB tube light running parallel to the basking heat source is essential for Vitamin D3 synthesis and calcium absorption.

• Soaking & Shallow Water: Provide a shallow, accessible water dish large enough for the tortoise to soak in comfortably and drink from daily.

Why Choose a Cherry Head Red-Footed Tortoise?

For reptile lovers seeking a long-lived, highly engaging land tortoise that combines manageable size, brilliant scarlet coloration, and simple omnivorous care, the Cherry Head Red-Footed Tortoise is a top-tier choice for a rewarding 50+ year lifetime journey.

This tortoise is not available in Taiwan or Hong Kong.

Due to the U.S. 4-inch tortoise regulations, Red-Foot Tortoises are not currently available for delivery within the United States.

We expect to have some tortoises grown to the required 4-inch size within the next few months. Once they reach the required size, we will remove this restriction and make them available for delivery throughout the USA.

Thank you for your understanding and patience!