Since they are technically the same type of tortoise as the baby red-footed tortoise, baby cherry head tortoise for sale, or cherry head red foot tortoise,  have the same Latin name of Geochelone carbonaria.  The baby cherry head red-footed tortoise for sale has identical care requirements of a baby red foot tortoise. Also, they are considered a smaller variant of the larger red-footed tortoise and are closely related to the yellow-footed tortoise.  Cherry heads are actually the smallest of the red footed tortoise family.  While red foots and yellow footed tortoises reach 11-14″ in size, Cherry heads normally are 8-10″ at full maturity.  Keeping a cherry head tortoise is fairly easy and identical in care to their cousins.

Interestingly enough, some believe the baby cherry head tortoise were intentionally bred to be small red-footed tortoises but in fact, they are actually native to Brazil.  Secondly, the smaller variation of red footed tortoise is an Eastern variant which sports a red head and was named the cherry head tortoise for sale in the pet trade.  Lastly, they are known as Brazilian cherry head tortoises.  Brazilian Cherry head tortoise for sale are often found along rivers and close to the edge of forests.  Red-footed tortoise for sale are very popular pet tortoises they’ve have become a vulnerable species for extinction in the wild.  Most because of people catching them and selling them as pets. Lastly, captive bred baby cherry head tortoise for sale are available so you should never purchase a wild-caught tortoise.

In the wild, baby cherry head tortoises are omnivores.  Because of this, they tend to eat a wider range of foods than many other tortoise species.  Keeping in mind that it is very important not to feed a lot of animal protein.  Providing Mazuri tortoise food twice weekly in addition to high quality greens covers the protein requirements nicely. (e.g. one ounce for a full grown cherry head red-footed tortoise) .

Most importantly, a variety of fresh, dark, leafy greens such as dandelion greens, endive, mustard greens, and escarole (but monitor the calcium to phosphorous ratios of these greens), leafy and green vegetables, and fruits should also be fed (they also tolerate fruit better than many other species). Lastly, a calcium and vitamin D3 supplement should be used a few times a week on the food as well.  At tortoise town, we dust our food twice a week with a 50/50 combination of calcium with D3 and reptile vitamins.

Size of Cherry Head Red-Footed Tortoise

This species is native to tropical areas and prefers a humid climate. A sturdy, escape-proof enclosure can be provided outdoors and a sprinkler or mister can be used to increase the humidity if needed. A muddy wallow will be used as well as a pan of clean water for your tortoise to crawl into. An area densely planted with vegetation provides a cool retreat and a natural habitat. A doghouse-type shelter can be used for adult cherry head tortoises for sale and the enclosure should be heated if nighttime temperatures drop below 65-70 degrees. Daytime temperatures can safely reach up to 95 degrees for a baby cherry head tortoise.