Yellow-Footed Tortoise
Chelonoidis denticulata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Tesdtudines
Family
Tesdtudinidae
Yellow-Footed Tortoise
Range
South America, from Venezuela to Bolivia
Size
Carapace: Male 15 - 16 in, Female 24 - 30 in
Weight: 25 - 35 lbs
Habitat
Tropical and subtropical wet forests
Young
Clutch: 1 - 8 eggs
Incubation: 125 - 150 days
Diet
Vegetation, fungi, leaves, flowers, fruit, although mainly herbivorous, it will take carrion when available
IUCN Status
Vulnerable
Description
The yellow-footed tortoise is named for the yellow-orange scales on their front legs. It is the largest of three species of mainland tortoises found in South America.
Shell
A tortoise shell is made of 60 different bones and all are connected to each other. This species reaches the age of maturity at about 8-10 years.
Status
The biggest threat to this species is over-hunting for food. They are considered a delicacy by some cultures. They are also kept as pets throughout much of their range (primarily in rural areas), and their carapaces are also used for making musical instruments. One of the greatest threats to this species is human encroachment into its habitat through logging, agriculture, and oil exploration.