Our Animals
Red-Footed Tortoise
The Colourful Cruisers
Red-Footed Tortoise
Discover the weird and wonderful side of our tropical zone! Native to the lush forests of South America, the Red-Footed Tortoise is a true marvel of the jungle floor. As their name suggests, they sport vibrant red and orange scales on their strong legs, perfectly matched with a beautiful, heavily patterned shell. They love to show off these brilliant colors while basking in the warm sunshine! Even though tortoises have a reputation for taking things slow, this species has incredibly strong legs and can move surprisingly quickly when they spot a tasty snack. As natural herbivores, they spend their days cruising around looking for fresh plants and fallen fruits to munch on. Because they are ground-dwellers, they are fantastic roommates and get along wonderfully with other native South American species, like the cheeky common marmoset!
Care & Conservation
Protecting the Forest Floor
We focus on creating excitement around our animal encounters while highlighting the care, conservation, and respect behind every experience. Red-Footed Tortoises are facing threats in the wild due to habitat loss and over-harvesting in South America. By getting to know our colorful cruisers, visitors learn how important it is to protect vibrant rainforest ecosystems so these beautiful reptiles can continue to thrive safely in the wild.
Monty's Fun fact
Fun Fact
Red-Footed Tortoise
Did you know that Red-Footed Tortoises have a serious need for speed when it comes to snacks? While we usually think of tortoises as slow and steady, their strong legs allow them to move surprisingly quickly through the forest when they spot their favorite fruits!