Red-footed Tortoise

Description:

Red-foot tortoises have red scales on the limbs, as well as red, yellow, and/or orange facial markings. Red-foots will normally reach between 10 and 14 inches (25.4 - 35.6 cm) in carapace length, although in rare cases may grow up to 16 inches (40 cm).

Habitat:

pantanal, seasonally flooded grasslands and forests

Notes:

I spotted this tortoise on a hike in the pantanal, around km 40 on the Transpantaneira. Interesting fact, when a red-footed tortoise feels infested with ectoparasites, it heads to the nearest ants nest and allows them to forage over its skin.