Red-Footed Tortoise
Chelonoidis carbonarius
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-footed_tortoise
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Testudines
Family
Testudinidae
Genus
Chelonoidis
Red-Footed Tortoise belongs to the family Testudinidae, order unknown, within the Testudines class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The Red-Footed Tortoise faces severe population declines across its range due to intensive hunting for food and the illegal pet trade, combined with widespread habitat destruction from deforestation and agricultural expansion. Large-scale collection of adults for consumption has dramatically reduced breeding populations, while habitat fragmentation isolates remaining groups and prevents natural population recovery.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Inhabits tropical rainforests, dry forests, savannas, and scrublands across South America, from sea level to approximately 1,500m elevation. Prefers areas with dense vegetation cover, fallen logs, and leaf litter that provide shelter and foraging opportunities.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Red-Footed Tortoise faces severe population declines across its range due to intensive hunting for food and the illegal pet trade, combined with widespread habitat destruction from deforestation and agricultural expansion. Large-scale collection of adults for consumption has dramatically reduced breeding populations, while habitat fragmentation isolates remaining groups and prevents natural population recovery.
Agricultural expansion and land conversion
Deforestation and habitat loss
Illegal collection for pet trade
Overharvesting for food consumption
Habitat fragmentation
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Red-Footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonarius). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/red-footed-tortoise