Redfoot & Cherry Head - Difference?

[Talisman]

Hi there, I was just wondering the difference between a redfoot
tortoise, and a cherry head tortoise.

Any advice greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Ken in Markham

[tdherper]

Different name, same animal, I read that once on another forum..

td

[aaron]

cherryheads are a subspecies. They retain most or all of the red on thier heads that a normal redfoot looses as it ages and fades to yellow. Some "normal" redfoots retain some red but a true cherryhead's colour stays very bright. Also cherryheads are smaller in general than "normal" redfoots' Hope this helps!

Aaron

[red bootz]

Cherryheads are not really considered a "sub-species" per se as, at the moment, there is only one classification for the red-footed tortoise, Geochelone carbonaria. No sub-species are recognized. Cherryheads, Paraguayan dwarfs, Colombian giants, etc. are all, Geochelone carbonaria. That being said cherryheads are rather distinct from other red foots in that they tend to stay relatively small (about 8-9 inches) and usually retain a great deal more color on their heads as Aaron stated. A couple other markers that set them apart is the markings on their plastron as well as, bulbous nostrils in adults, as well as light colored marbling on their carapace which is often present. Apparently these dwarf cherryheads originate from paraguay and argentina, although there are "Brazilian" cherryheads as well. Go figure.

[gfisher2002]

Basically one has a red head.