High Yellow Forstens Tortoise - Indotestudo forsteni

Yellow Footed Tortoise is considered to be the largest Tortoise on the mainland of South America which belongs to the family of Testudinidae. This species is called by many names such as The Brazilian Giant Tortoise, Forest Tortoise, South American Tortoise or South American Yellow-footed Tortoise. It also has two binomial names. Formerly they were called Geochelone Denticulata but know they are known as Chelonoidis Denticulata. This species is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Guyana etc. They have cream or yellow colored highlights on their heads and behind their eyes and yellowish scales on the front of each forelimb. The carapace is convex in shape, elongated and black in color with yellowish mark around the areola on each scute. The plastron is concave in males whereas females have a flat plastron. It also has a slightly hooked upper jaw. Physically, males and females of this species are quite different. Females are heavier with short and stubby tail while the males are larger, lighter in weight and have a longer and thicker tail. The Geochelone Denticulata males have a habit of making head movements when they contact other males but nothing of this sort is found in females. Males can grow up to 35 centimeters in length and females can reach only up to 28.5 centimeter. Mating occurs all twelve months but the activity increases with the onset of rainy season i.e. from July to September. Females lay clutches of eggs though they may not produce every year. Parents do not take care of the hatchlings. The young has to be self sufficient right from the birth. The life span of Yellow Footed Tortoise is 50 to 60 years.

Yellow Footed Tortoise Habitat

These tortoises are found in dry lands, grasslands, savanna and rainforest belts adjoining more open habitat. While keeping them in captivity, accommodate them in a medium sized terrarium. As the animal grows the size of the habitat should be increased. The temperature should range from 75 to 85 degrees. Usage of moist mulch and leaf litter in which the tortoise will burrow is recommended. Availability of clean fresh water all the time is essential. A pool should also be provided which will allow them to soak readily any time they want. A 100W spot lamp has to be positioned too as it will provide facilities for artificial basking. A full spectrum light is also essential as it supplies UVB which is necessary for vitaminD3 syntheses.

Yellow Footed Tortoise Diet

This species is omnivorous and consume all kinds of foliage. They also eat slow moving animals and insects as they themselves are too slow to catch any fast animal. Their diet in the wild consists of various grasses, fallen fruit, mushrooms and animals like snails and worms. They also eat excrement, soil and pebbles which helps them in digesting food as they swallow the complete food product. In captivity, they can be provided fruits like oranges, apples, melons etc., dandelions, clover, shredded carrots, insects, worms etc. Powdered calcium can also be sprinkled on all foods once a week.

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