Daer friends,
Of course, there are significant differences between Red-foot (G. carbonaria) and Yellow-foot (G. denticulata) Tortoises. The primary distinction being the presence of yellow scales on the forelegs of G. denticulata and red scales on the forelegs of G. carbonaria (thus the common names for each). However, of all of the differences for these two species, this is actually the most variable. While Red-foots may be more intensely colored, this is not a universal distinction; there are Yellow-foots that are very brightly patterned and comparatively drab Red-foots. While there are numerous morphometric differences between these two species, by far the easiest method of telling Red-foots and Yellow-foots apart is the differences in the scalation of their heads.
The prefrontal and frontal scales are the scales at the tip of the nose. Yellow-foot Tortoises have elongated prefrontal scales and a fragmented frontal scale, while Red-footed Tortoises have shortened prefrontals and an intact frontal scale.
Usually, geographical variations in Red-footed Tortoises are going to two different types, i.e.
*** cherry-heads, being small dwarf variant, that only attains a lengt of 25.00 – 30.00 cm as adults, having “red” head available; and
*** guyana’s, being larger in body size, over 40.00 cm in adult age, having “yellow” head;
But, actually, there are at least 3 different geographical variation in Red-foot Tortoises available, as follows:
- northern type (originate from Venezuela, Columbia, norther Brazil), called “high-red”, which is very brightly patterned both in juvenile and adult age, with unusual orange scales on the head (including dark yellow and light red scales, too!), intensively colored carapace;s scutes;
- eastern type (originate from both Guyanas and Suriname, neigborough Islands and north-eastern Brazil), called “guyana’s” with above mentioned description, and finaly
- southern type (originate from central to south Brazil, including Paraguay, too), called “chery-head”, described earlier, too!
All of them have “red” leggs, of course!
Of course, it is not final classification, because there are many intermediate types, and some still undescribed geographical variations surely. Anyway, I would like to show the differences in quoted three different types of Red-footed Tortoises now, as follows:
NORTHERN TYPE:
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EASTERN TYPE:
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SOUTHERN TYPE:
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At the end, I am attaching some additional photos of Red-foot Tortoises, but of course, they are not geographical variations of this species, than some color Mutations only. Excepting last photo, of one undescribed color of southern type, all others become product of eastern and northern type, i.e. - albino (albinotic), lutino (leucistic) and hypomelanistic ones!
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Warmest regards, Marco