Unusual Creatures of Guyana
The Red-Footed Tortoise ( Geochelone carbonaria )
Kaieteur News
April 8, 2007
Found in the southernmost part of Guyana, in the Kanuku Mountains, and rated as one of the most attractive and colourful shelled creatures, the Red-footed Tortoise ( Geochelone carbonaria ) with its slow movements is listed among the unusual creatures of Guyana.
Tortoises which are usually located in tropical and humid forested areas are considered a unique and important species in the South American ecology.
In addition to Guyana , these creatures are known to inhabit Venezuela , Brazil , Ecuador , Paraguay and even some Caribbean islands.
They fancy living in the underbrush since it makes it easier to satisfy their herbivorous nature which sees them foraging for fallen fruits and plant growth. However, according to reports they also consume a small amount of animal matter such as carrion.
The skin and carapace (upper shell) of this creature's shell is dark brown to black with lighter patches in the centres of the scutes (scales) affixed to its legs and around the edges which are usually a yellowish tan or red coloured.
Red-foots also possess enlarged scales on their tails which vary from yellow to dark cherry red, with the brightest colours being seen on adults. Sometimes these scales as well as patches on the head are orange, yellow or red.
And due to the large natural range they originate from, this colouring can be quite variable from one tortoise to the next, which cannot accurately describe every specimen.
Its plastron (bottom shell) is a bland yellowish brown sometimes with a hint of red.
And as with other tortoise species, male red-foots have a concave plastron which is caused by a constriction which almost gives it a waist, which from a top view, gives the tortoise a decidedly hourglass appearance.
This hourglass figure is said to be much more developed in males than in females which also have longer and wider tails.
Red-foots are regarded a medium sized species of tortoise and males are usually larger than females in carapace (shell) length and weight but are not wider or taller, according to some reports. This tortoise species usually goes through an ontogenetic colour change. As such the young have a carapace with a pale yellow or horn ground colour with increasing dark brown or black patches as the animal matures.
The red-foots however remain relatively small growing to about 30 to 40 cm, which is true for most tortoise types.
They are said to be most active after the rainy season when mating occurs.
In natural habitat, mating takes place after the rainy season, from July to September, and clutches vary from five to fifteen, according to some observations.
This species and many other tortoise species are slow to mature and do not reach sexual maturity for several years. And coupled with a relatively low clutch size, the red-footed tortoises are susceptible to over-hunting.
With over-hunting, more sexually mature animals are removed from the population than can be replaced by the maturing young. Consequently, the overall population has declined.
However, according to reports they are not currently classified as endangered but if the hunting rate and habitat loss continue at their current levels, it will most likely be so in the future.
In this regard, conservation efforts include the establishment and protection of wildlife reserves and national parks, where red-footed tortoises and other animals are protected from hunting.
They are protected under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), meaning that they may not be exported from their home country without a permit. Appendix II animals are not classified as threatened with extinction, but are considered sensitive to this danger if international trade is left unregulated.
Although protection under CITES has some positive effects on the survival of this species, CITES regulations cannot protect the red-footed tortoise where it is most in danger, within the boundaries of its home countries.
They are hunted extensively in their countries of origin for food.
Reports suggest that Red-foots are collected in large numbers and shipped to many different South American cities to be sold as a delicacy during this very time of year.