New red-footed tortoise pair arrives at Buffalo Zoo

Two new faces are joining a fan favorite in M&T Bank Rainforest Falls!

The Buffalo Zoo recently welcomed two male red-footed tortoises named Nike and Moccasin, who will now accompany our resident tortoise Ralphie on exhibit!

Nike and Moccasin are brothers and both 28 years old. They were hatched on June 27, 1997 at the Como Park Zoo in St. Paul, Minnesota. They have both produced 10 offspring in their lives.

The new trio were introduced to each other beginning earlier this month, with all of them sharing pleasantries and continuing to become comfortable with one another.

Red-footed tortoises hail from primarily Central and South America, including Venezuela, Guyana and down into Brazil as well. They can grow to be roughly around a foot as adults.

Their namesake feature is their brightly-colored scales that dot their dark limbs, often a bright red or a pale yellow. They have a dark colored top shell, with small lighter patches throughout.

Red-footed tortoises are known to live more than 50 years, a long lifespan that’s in line with other tortoise species.

Red-footed tortoises have not yet been evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and thus don’t have an official conservation status. However, they are a protected species and reside on protected lands in many of their homes countries. They are most threatened by habitat loss, over-hunting and the illegal pet trade.

Be sure to swing by M&T Bank Rainforest Falls and check out our new red-footed tortoise herd!