Cherry Head-Red Foot

I have read that Cherry Head tortoises are generally smaller than the typical Red Footed tortoise. And for the most part, a cherry head should have more red on its head. Is a Cherry Head a genetically different species from a Red Foot? Line bred/locale animals of the same species? From what I’ve seen I’m under the impression of the latter at this time. If that is true, at what point is an animal considered cherry headed vs. “normal” in the hobby?

3 Likes

Cherry-Heads are a distinct locality of Red-Foot from Brazil that are smaller and more brightly colored. An animal shouldn’t really be labeled a Cherry-Head unless it is a pure locality animal.

4 Likes

Thank you for the info! Should have known you’d be on top of anything locality wise.

3 Likes