Chelonoidis carbonarius

Despite being protected in their home range, red-legged turtles are very popular pet turtles around the world. They are relatively inexpensive (around 180 euros each), manageable in size, have interesting personalities and have a unique coloration that helps them differentiate themselves from other domestic turtles. Anyone interested in buying a red-legged turtle is best to turn to a professional breeder who has been breeding turtles in captivity for several generations. Turtles born in captivity are more docile than wild ones and more manageable, and they will not be in danger of having internal parasites. This also helps protect wild populations from poaching.Any reptile can carry bacteria such as salmonella , so owners should practice proper hygiene, such as washing their hands after handling the animals or their droppings. Dogs, even well-trained ones, often playfully attack or bite turtles, so you need to be very careful if the two animals live together.

All turtles should be housed outdoors when weather and climate permit. In Italy , it is good to leave these animals outdoors only when the outside temperatures stabilize and the night does not drop below 19 ° C. Outdoor enclosures should allow space to move freely, enclosures that are at least 1.5 times taller than the turtle's length, and safe from both predators and possible escape from animals. The area also needs to be supplied with more shelter and water. ^[12] Considering that these animals do not hibernate, and remain active throughout the year, it is also necessary to create internal housing suitable for the size of the turtle, as well as being safe and waterproof, as this species that prefers a lot of humidity. Aquariums and plastic tanks can be used for younger turtles, while larger specimens or groups of multiple turtles will need a "turtle tank" (similar to a bookcase with no shelves lying at the back), an indoor mini greenhouse, or a large indoor enclosure An indoor habitat should be lined with a substrate such as hardwood mulch (such as cypress ), coir, a mixture of earth and sand, or other similar combinations. It also requires several hiding places and a water tank, large enough for the animal to enter completely to cool off and drink. Adding plants (real or fake) will also give the animal more hiding places and embellish the terrarium .