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Cherry Head Tortoise
Cherry Head Tortoise

Cherry Head Tortoise

$640.99

Cherry Head Tortoise
Cherry Head Tortoise

$640.99

Add to wishlist
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CHERRY HEAD TORTOISE OVERVIEW

Baby cherry head Tortoises also called Brazilian red-footed tortoises can be kept in a heated habitat with a temperature range of 82F to 85F with a hot spot at 90F and a 10-15F temperature drop at night. As the baby cherry tortoise develops, it can be introduced to an outside pen but only during the warmer days of the summer.  Remember to bring the cherry  tortoise inside during the night.  Explore the many facets of the cherry head tortoise habitat below.

CHERRY HEAD TORTOISE HABITAT TYPES

Many different types of cherry head tortoise habitats can work just as well.  It is really about dialing in the parameters necessary for your baby cherry head tortoise to thrive.

The first thing to consider is what are you going to use for a habitat?  We recommend using something that is large enough that you should not have to change the habitat for at least 2 years.  For this reason, provide at least something that is aproxx. 36″x 18″ minimum.

For adult cherry head tortoises you should provide at least 6’x3′ per tortoise.  As they get older they will reach sizes over 12″ and need room to be able to stroll around their habitat, get exercise and not feeling cramped.  It is also normal to have both an indoor and outdoor habitat for your cherry head.  Using an aquarium for babies for example is fine, you will just need to be mindful of having to give them a larger area as they mature.

Tortoise tables, aquariums, and tortoise house kits

Other options include making a tortoise table, using a zoo med tortoise house, etc.  The main concern will be maintaining the high humidity that cherry tortoises require.  We recommend using a reptile fogger with all types of habitats to ensure they are getting proper humidity and hydration.

CHERRY HEAD TORTOISE TEMPERATURE

Like most forest species, cherry head tortoise thrives in tropical conditions.  This means an ambient temperature of about 86 degrees during the day, that drops to no less than 78 degrees in the evenings.

Since cherry head tortoises require a higher humidity than most “non forest species”, it is important that evening temperatures do not fall below 78 degrees.

If temperatures are too low, your baby cherry head tortoise could come down with an upper respiratory infection.

Also, do not forget to always provide a temperature gradient for your tortoise.  Temperature gradients for the cherry head tortoise should be 95 degrees on the basking spot.

Lastly, the coolest spot of the habitat should be around 80 degrees during the day.  Nightime temperatures should be in the neighborhood of 80 degrees throughout the enclosure.

Brazilian red-footed tortoises Humidity

Since cherry head tortoises are a forest species, they require higher humidity than almost any other species of tortoise.  Other relatives of the cherry head, including the cherry tortoise and yellow footed tortoise also have similar humidity requirements.  For these reasons, we recommend always purchasing a reptile fogger when you buy your new baby tortoise.  Using a fogger every morning that is connected to the same timer as your lighting is best.

Average humidity should be around 75% for cherry  tortoises throughout their lifespan.  Babies can take even higher humidity as some cherry head tortoise breeders recommend humidity as high as 85% for hatchlings.  Regardless of age, humidity is always a key component to successfully rasiing any forest tortoise species.  We recommend a 75% humidity.  Humidity can be acheived by using a reptile fogger, room humidifier, or even just spraying down the habitat walls and substrate multiple times daily.  Other options including using a reptile misting system.

Brazilian red-footed tortoises UV lighting

Whilst the tortoise is maintained in a Vivarium, it is vital that it receives the correct UVB lighting to aid vitamin D3 production and utilisation. In their native habitat little light reaches the forest floor so 5% UVB should be used. In the summer, when the temperature permits, the tortoises can be kept outside to benefit from natural sunlight. It is imperative that if you put your tortoise out in natural sunlight that you also provide it with a shaded area. This can be done either with a hide or with clumps of hay or grass.

Being a rainforest species, cherry head require a rather high humidity and so humidity levels in the vivarium should be maintained at around 70% – 90%. Too low a humidity can results in respiratory problems and inflammation around the eyes.

Your baby or adult Brazilian red-footed tortoises will thrive on a diet consisting largely of fruit and leafy vegetables. Tomato, melon a grapes are suitable as well as carrot, and this can be mixed with various leafy green vegetables.  Include dark leafy greens like Collard, Mustard greens,  Kale, Greens, Brussell Tops, Parsley and Watercress.

Foods to stay away from

Do not feed your tortoise Iceberg or Round Lettuce although you can provide “Mixed Lettuce” sold in supermarkets that consist of Chinese Lettuce, Raddico, etc. Lettuce should be viewed as once a week feed as it contains high amounts of water and not as much goodness as the other foods mentioned.

CHERRY HEAD TORTOISES HAVE A UNIQUE VARIED DIET

Cherry head tortoises are opportunistic feeders and in the wild they will also eat meat if it is available and so once a fortnight it is advisable to offer a low fat cat food to your tortoise to provide it with the animal proteins it would have in its natural diet.

Because of the higher protein diet, it is even more important for fresh water to be available at all times and should be provided in a shallow dish, but deep enough so that your tortoise can submerge both its nose and mouth to drink. Be sure your cherry head tortoise can climb in and out of the bowl with ease.

We primarily feed mazuri tortoise chow along with collard greens, mustard greens, papaya, green squash, yellow squash, shaved carrots, endive, mango and strawberries as a treat.

CHERRY HEAD TORTOISE LIFESPAN

A long lived species of tropical forest tortoise, the Brazilian red-footed tortoises can live as long as 90 years.  Averages are anywhere from 50-90 years, however, in captivity, it is believed they can live even longer if properly cared for.  Raising your baby cherry head tortoise for sale into a long lived adult is a result of proper care.  Proper care includes not only diet, but all habitat parameters that are required.  This includes temperatures, humidity, substrate, diet, soaking schedule, etc.  It is not uncommon for a baby cherry head tortoise to reach the ripe old age of 75 years old, when properly taken care of!

CHERRY TORTOISE SIZE

Considered a medium sized tortoise, the cherry head tortoise reaches sizes of up to 15″.  Most cherry head will grow to around 12-14″.  There are also giant amazon basin cherry head subspecies that reach over 16″.  This is the same for the yellow footed tortoise.  The Brazilian red-footed tortoises will be the smaller of the group of 3, only reaching 10-12″ on average.

Depending on the exact locale of the Brazilian red-footed tortoises, size can be anywhere from 10-16″ with most falling closer to 13-14″.  When you consider the adult size of the cherry head tortoise, think about the overall habitat required 0nce mature.  For this reason, you may want to build a larger habitat from day one.

108 reviews for Cherry Head Tortoise

  1. John (verified owner) –

    Thank you so much. They’ve (desert horned lizards) arrived in great condition. I appreciate all your help. I love them.

    1 product

  2. ANTHONY (verified owner) –

    thanks guys for always coimg through with deliveries

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  3. JAMES (verified owner) –

    outstanding delivery thanks

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  4. grey (verified owner) –

    everything good my order came in as expected

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  5. Anthony (verified owner) –

    Just wanted to let you know that I received the frogs and Snake

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  6. John (verified owner) –

    The delivery was perfect.

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  7. SYLVIE (verified owner) –

    everything good my order came in as expected

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  8. kelly (verified owner) –

    Very well worth the money.

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  9. Kaden Arabic (verified owner) –

    great customer service

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  10. BEN (verified owner) –

    Very fast delivery.

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  11. TIM (verified owner) –

    thanks i received my order on time

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  12. nathan (verified owner) –

    very well worth the money

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  13. Kaden Arabic (verified owner) –

    Thank you so much. They’ve (desert horned lizards) arrived in great condition. I appreciate all your help. I love them.

    1 product

  14. HUMPHREY (verified owner) –

    The delivery was perfect.

    1 product

  15. tony (verified owner) –

    great delivery

    1 product

  16. David (verified owner) –

    thanks guys for always coimg through with deliveries

    1 product

  17. RAHEEM (verified owner) –

    Just wanted to let you know that I received the frogs and Snake

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  18. VON (verified owner) –

    good customer service

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  19. Dominic (verified owner) –

    Just wanted to let you know that I received the frogs and Snake

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  20. HUMPHREY (verified owner) –

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  21. Riley (verified owner) –

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  22. JONES (verified owner) –

    good customer service

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