how do u tell the difference between a red foot and a cherry head red foot besides size?
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cherry head vs red foot
tom-n
Mar 26, 2006 01:08 AM
Replies (3)
drtom
Mar 26, 2006 08:57 PM
I always thought they were both redfoots but the difference was the color of the scales on the head. I'm sure someone will know of more technical differences.
Amazonreptile
Mar 29, 2006 06:44 PM
>>I always thought they were both redfoots but the difference was the color of the scales on the head. I'm sure someone will know of more technical differences.
They are the same species. But the regional variation seems important to many breeders. The "old school" Cherryheads came from Paraguay and had Cherry Red heads, legs, tails and even the bottom of their feet. The carapace was coal black with light centered scutes.
The "new" Brazilian Cherryheads are simply marketing capitolizing on the popularity of the old Paraguayan specimens. These new ones are quite different with mottled black/white shells. Some almost look piebald on the shell. The Paraguayan specimens I have seen do not exhibit this.
Hope it helps.
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AMAZON REPTILE CENTER
mayday
Mar 30, 2006 11:21 AM
Cherryheads are NOT found in Paraguay. The 'old school' animals that you speak of and that were imported by Pet Farm in the early 80s were pretty much identical to the ones from Bahia, Brazil. As a matter of fact, the so called 'Paraguayan' animals that Pet Farm had were actually collected in Brazil (check with Rob MacInnes or Scott Hersey who worked there at the time)and then trucked to Argentina where they were shipped from.
I saw literally thousands of those 'old school' tortoises and picked my group from them. I can assure you that there were a great many that had the marbled shells (see Turtles of Venezuela for photos)as well.
The cherryheads I have had since then are pretty much the exact same animals in color, size and every other aspect to the ones I had in the 80s.
I think the confusion comes from folks who might have an animal or two from one group or the other that might have a certain trait like an extra red head or a very marbled carapace.
They then assume that ALL of the animals from that group are like theirs. Also, many reptile sellers went to the importers and hand picked the most outstanding specimens which also gives a false impression of what the rest of the animals in the shipment looked like.
If you have seen large groups of these animals from over the years, you realize that they are the same tortoise.
