Yellow-footed tortoise

Description:

There are several yellow head scales and a horizontal bar behind its eye. The carapace (shell top) is black with a small, distinct yellow area around the areola on each scute (shell scale). Adult males reach a length of up to 13.5 inches (30.4 cm) in length, while the maximum size of females is 11.25 inches (28.9 cm) in length. Mature specimens have distinctive incurving of sides, giving them a well-defined "waist". The plastron (shell bottom) is a relatively bland yellow-brown; there may be some reddish tint and vague dark marks along areas of more recent growth. The plastron is extremely concave in adult males. Consequently, the male is much lighter than the female. The female has a very flat plastron and short, stubby tail. There is quite a bit of variation in coloring, with the legs and head often having patches of orange, yellow or red. The skin is black with bright yellow marks on the head and lower jaw. Many of the scales on the limbs and tail are bright scarlet. Specimens from west of the Andes have a grayish or brownish carapace. Light limb scales are yellowish or slightly orange, but not scarlet. The plastron ranges from predominantly yellow to black. Note: There is considerable variation in color over the range of the red-footed tortoise, so no one description will accurately describe every specimen. This species is sexually dimorphic and it is easy to distinguish male and female. The male has an extreme plastral concavity and is subsequently much lighter. There is a pinching off at the midsection of the carapace. The female is much heavier, with a flat plastron and more symmetrical, curved carapace. The female also has a shorter tail compared to the male. The male is quite vocal at mating time with a low moan produced. The yellow-footed tortoise is much larger with constant yellow markings compared to the red-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria).

Habitat:

There is some disagreement as to which habitat is the preferred type for yellow-footed tortoises. Some feel that yellow-foots prefer grasslands and dry forest areas, and that rain-forest habitat is most likely marginal. Others suggest that humid forest is the preferred habitat. Regardless, they are found in drier forest areas, grasslands, and the savanna, or rainforest belts adjoining more open habitats. The red-footed tortoise shares some of its range with the yellow-footed tortoise. In ranges that are shared in Surinam, the red-footed tortoise has moved out of the forests into grasslands (that are a result of slash and burn agriculture) while the yellow-footed tortoise has remained in the forest.