What is the scientific name of the Yellow-Footed Tortoise?

The scientific name of the Yellow-Footed Tortoise is Geochelone denticulata.

What are other common names for the Yellow-Footed Tortoise?

The Yellow-Footed Tortoise is also known as Brazilian Giant Tortoise.

How big do Yellow-Footed Tortoises get?

Adult Yellow-Footed Tortoises typically reach about 12-16 inches.

How long do Yellow-Footed Tortoises live?

Yellow-Footed Tortoises live about 50-80 years with proper care.

What temperatures does a Yellow-Footed Tortoise need?

Recommended temperatures for a Yellow-Footed Tortoise: 70-75°F cool side, 80-85°F warm side, and 90-95°F basking spot.

What humidity does a Yellow-Footed Tortoise need?

Yellow-Footed Tortoises need 60-80% humidity.

Do Yellow-Footed Tortoises need UVB lighting?

Yes. Recommended lighting for Yellow-Footed Tortoises: UVA/UVB required.

What size enclosure does a Yellow-Footed Tortoise need?

Recommended enclosure sizes for a Yellow-Footed Tortoise: Baby: 36”x18”x18” (<6 months +); Young: 48”x24”x24” (minimum); Sub Adult/Adult: 72”x24”x24” (minimum). Recommended with adult enclosure to always go larger these are minimum requirements. Larger enclosures encourage animals to exhibit natural behaviors.

What do Yellow-Footed Tortoises eat?

Yellow-Footed Tortoises eat: Primarily Herbivorous; Greens; Grasses; Fungi; Fruits & Flowers; Succulents; Omnivorous Tendencies; Invertebrates.

Are Yellow-Footed Tortoises good for beginners?

Yellow-Footed Tortoises are not usually recommended for beginners; they are rated Intermediate for keeper experience. Diet, Humidity, and Supplementation must be perfect.

Are Yellow-Footed Tortoises nocturnal or diurnal?

Yellow-Footed Tortoises are diurnal (active during the day).

What is Yellow-Footed Tortoise behavior like?

Common Yellow-Footed Tortoise behavior traits: Can be standoffish when new; Docile generally; Warm up easily with consistent handling; Can be very active; Adept burrowers; Not highly social but will engage in head bobbing or gentle nudging as form of communication.

Do Yellow-Footed Tortoises lay eggs?

Yes. Yellow-Footed Tortoises are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs.

How many eggs does a Yellow-Footed Tortoise lay?

A Yellow-Footed Tortoise clutch is typically about 3-15 eggs.

How long do Yellow-Footed Tortoise eggs take to hatch?

Yellow-Footed Tortoise eggs typically incubate for about 120-150 days before hatching.

What is the best enclosure for a Yellow-Footed Tortoise?

Recommended enclosures for Yellow-Footed Tortoises by age. Juvenile: Vivarium 36" Sliding Door Reptile Terrariums. Sub-adult: Vivarium 48" Sliding Door Reptile Terrariums (4'x2').

What lighting products are best for a Yellow-Footed Tortoise?

Recommended lighting products for Yellow-Footed Tortoises: Arcadia 6% UVB D3 Forest Lighting.

What heating products does a Yellow-Footed Tortoise need?

Recommended heating products for Yellow-Footed Tortoises by age. Juvenile: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Spot Heater and Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector. Sub-adult: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Spot Heater and Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector. Adult: Vivarium Electronics Radiant Heat Panels.

Yellow-Footed Torotise

Common Name(s)	Yellow-footed Tortoise Brazilian Giant Tortoise
Scientific Name	Geochelone denticulata
Behavior	Diurnal (active during day) Can be standoffish when new Docile generally Warm up easily with consistent handling Can be very active Adept burrowers Not highly social but will engage in head bobbing or gentle nudging as form of communication
Reproduction	Oviparous (Egg Layer) Gestation: ~35-45 days Clutch size: ~3-15 eggs Incubation: ~120-150 days
Lifespan	~50-80 years
Temperatures	70-75°F cool side 80-85°F warm side 90-95°F basking spot
Humidity	60-80%
Lighting	UVA/UVB required
Size	~12-16 inches
Enclosure Recommendations	Baby: 36”x18”x18” (<6 months +) Young: 48”x24”x24” (minimum) Sub Adult/Adult: 72”x24”x24” (minimum) recommended with adult enclosure to always go larger these are minimum requirements larger enclosures encourage animals to exhibit natural behaviors
Experience Level	Intermediate Take note of lifespan Diet, Humidity, and Supplementation must be perfect *Parents should always be involved caring for any pet, until the child is 18 yrs.
Diet	Primarily Herbivorous Greens Grasses Fungi Fruits & Flowers Succulents Omnivorous Tendencies Invertebrates

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Best Substrates for Subadult Yellow-Footed Tortoises

ReptiChip Breeder Blocks and Bundles: Breeder Block

ReptiEarth Fine Coconut Fiber Mix; Ready to Use: 36 Quart

Best Enclosures for Subadult Yellow-Footed Tortoises

48" Sliding Door Reptile Vivarium (4x2): 120 Gallon 48x24x24 / Black

Best Lighting Products for Subadult Yellow-Footed Tortoises

Arcadia 6% UVB D3 Forest Lighting: LumenIZE® Smart UVB Kit / 48"

Best Heating Products for Subadult Yellow-Footed Tortoises

Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Spot Heater: 75W

Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector: 8"

Best Substrates for Juvenile Yellow-Footed Tortoises

MicroChip Fine Coconut Chip Mix; Ready to Use: 36 Quart

ReptiEarth Fine Coconut Fiber Mix; Ready to Use: 36 Quart

Best Enclosures for Juvenile Yellow-Footed Tortoises

36" Sliding Door Reptile Vivarium (36x18) - 50 Gallon: Black

Best Lighting Products for Juvenile Yellow-Footed Tortoises

Arcadia 6% UVB D3 Forest Lighting: LumenIZE® Smart UVB Kit / 36"

Best Heating Products for Juvenile Yellow-Footed Tortoises

Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Spot Heater: 50W

Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector: 5.5"

Yellow-footed Tortoises (Geochelone denticulata), also known as the Brazilian giant tortoise, are large, terrestrial reptiles native to the rainforests of South America, particularly in countries like Brazil, Venezuela, and Bolivia. One of the most fascinating aspects of these tortoises is their striking appearance, characterized by yellow or orange scales on their legs and head, which contrast against their dark, slightly domed shell. The coloration of their scales helps distinguish them from their close relative, the Red-footed tortoise. Yellow-footed Tortoises thrive in humid environments, and their natural habitat includes tropical rainforests, where they stay close to sources of water. Unlike many other tortoise species, Yellow-footed tortoises are more active during the cooler parts of the day and may even forage at night.

In terms of behavior, Yellow-footed Tortoises are known for their relatively slow and docile nature. They are omnivorous, with a diet that includes a mix of fruits, fungi, leaves, and occasionally carrion or invertebrates. This diverse diet plays a crucial role in their ability to adapt to seasonal changes in food availability in the rainforest. Yellow-footed Tortoises are also long-lived creatures, with individuals in captivity reaching up to 50-60 years or more with proper care. In the wild, their lifespan can vary due to environmental factors and predation. These tortoises are important seed dispersers in their ecosystems, aiding in the regeneration of plants and helping maintain the biodiversity of their rainforest habitat. However, they face threats from habitat destruction and illegal poaching for the pet trade, making their conservation a priority in parts of their range.

Native Range

South America

Brazil

Colombia

Venezuela

Guyana

Suriname

French Guiana

Bolivia

Peru

Why ReptiChip?

ReptiChip is made by yellow-footed tortoise lovers, for yellow-footed tortoise lovers. It’s what the pros use, and it’s what you can use, too.

Our product line includes BabiChip, RediChip, TropicalBase, MicroChip, and ReptiEarth, so you can be sure to find the perfect yellow-footed tortoise bedding for your pet.

Ready to switch to the ultimate yellow-footed tortoise bedding? Check out ReptiChip today.

Common Yellow-Footed Tortoise ReptiChip Questions

: The scientific name of the Yellow-Footed Tortoise is Geochelone denticulata.
: The Yellow-Footed Tortoise is also known as Brazilian Giant Tortoise.
: Yellow-Footed Tortoises are native to South America, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Bolivia, and Peru.
: Adult Yellow-Footed Tortoises typically reach about 12-16 inches.
: Yellow-Footed Tortoises live about 50-80 years with proper care.
: Recommended temperatures for a Yellow-Footed Tortoise: 70-75°F cool side, 80-85°F warm side, and 90-95°F basking spot.
: Yellow-Footed Tortoises need 60-80% humidity.
: Yes. Recommended lighting for Yellow-Footed Tortoises: UVA/UVB required.
: Recommended enclosure sizes for a Yellow-Footed Tortoise: Baby: 36”x18”x18” (<6 months +); Young: 48”x24”x24” (minimum); Sub Adult/Adult: 72”x24”x24” (minimum). Recommended with adult enclosure to always go larger these are minimum requirements. Larger enclosures encourage animals to exhibit natural behaviors.
: Yellow-Footed Tortoises eat: Primarily Herbivorous; Greens; Grasses; Fungi; Fruits & Flowers; Succulents; Omnivorous Tendencies; Invertebrates.
: Yellow-Footed Tortoises are not usually recommended for beginners; they are rated Intermediate for keeper experience. Diet, Humidity, and Supplementation must be perfect.
: Yellow-Footed Tortoises are diurnal (active during the day).
: Common Yellow-Footed Tortoise behavior traits: Can be standoffish when new; Docile generally; Warm up easily with consistent handling; Can be very active; Adept burrowers; Not highly social but will engage in head bobbing or gentle nudging as form of communication.
: Yes. Yellow-Footed Tortoises are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs.
: A Yellow-Footed Tortoise clutch is typically about 3-15 eggs.
: Yellow-Footed Tortoise eggs typically incubate for about 120-150 days before hatching.
: Recommended substrates for juvenile Yellow-Footed Tortoises: MicroChip Fine Coconut Chip Mix; Ready to Use and ReptiEarth Fine Coconut Fiber Mix; Ready to Use.
: Recommended substrates for sub-adult Yellow-Footed Tortoises: ReptiChip Breeder Blocks and Bundles and ReptiEarth Fine Coconut Fiber Mix; Ready to Use.
: Recommended substrates for adult Yellow-Footed Tortoises: ReptiChip Breeder Blocks and Bundles and ReptiEarth Breeder Blocks and Bundles.
: Recommended enclosures for Yellow-Footed Tortoises by age. Juvenile: Vivarium 36" Sliding Door Reptile Terrariums. Sub-adult: Vivarium 48" Sliding Door Reptile Terrariums (4'x2').
: Recommended lighting products for Yellow-Footed Tortoises: Arcadia 6% UVB D3 Forest Lighting.
: Recommended heating products for Yellow-Footed Tortoises by age. Juvenile: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Spot Heater and Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector. Sub-adult: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Spot Heater and Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector. Adult: Vivarium Electronics Radiant Heat Panels.