Description
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Melanistic Red Foot Tortoises for Sale – Rare, Stunning, and Built for the Long Haul
Looking for something truly one-of-a-kind in your tortoise collection? Let’s talk about the Melanistic Red Foot Tortoise — a rare dark morph of the classic Chelonoidis carbonarius. These are not your everyday red foots. With deep charcoal-to-black shells and limbs, plus rich, moody undertones across the entire body, these tortoises turn heads like no other.
At Kingsman Exotic Reptiles, we specialize in offering captive-bred Melanistic Red Foot Tortoises for sale, hand-selected for strong genetics, feeding response, and — of course — that gorgeous blacked-out look. Whether you’re a lifelong tortoise keeper or new to the slow-and-steady life, this morph is a standout addition to any collection.
🔬 What is a Melanistic Red Foot Tortoise?
Let’s clear it up: this isn’t a separate species — Melanistic is a rare color morph of the standard Red Foot Tortoise. While the typical red foot shows warm tones of yellow, red, or orange on a dark brown to black base, melanistic red foots have an overload of pigment, turning the shell and limbs nearly pitch black or deep slate gray.
🌑 Key Features of the Melanistic Morph:
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Shell: Uniform black or dark graphite with minimal patterning
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Skin: Legs and head are charcoal with subtle, shadowy tones
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Eyes: Often darker or smokier than the standard red foot
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Growth: Same size and care as regular red foots, just way more unique
They look like something out of a dark fantasy novel — and yes, they’re just as hardy and personable as their more colorful cousins.
🧬 Species Info at a Glance
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Scientific Name: Chelonoidis carbonarius (Melanistic Morph)
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Common Name: Melanistic Red Foot Tortoise
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Adult Size: 10–14 inches on average
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Lifespan: 50+ years
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Behavior: Calm, personable, intelligent
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Care Level: Beginner to Intermediate
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Habitat Type: Tropical forest floor / humid jungle biome
🐣 Size, Age & Appearance
We currently offer:
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Hatchlings: 2–3 months old (starting to darken)
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Juveniles: 6–12 months (color more developed)
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Sub-Adults: 1.5–2.5 years (morph fully showing)
Each tortoise is hand-picked for strong melanistic traits, meaning you’re not getting a standard red foot that just happens to be dark — you’re getting a morph-bred animal raised to show its full potential.
💡 Pro Tip: Melanistic babies sometimes start out dark brown but blacken with age, especially under proper UVB and humidity.
🥗 Diet – What Do Melanistic Red Foot Tortoises Eat?
These tortoises are opportunistic omnivores, and one of the few species that enjoy a bit of animal protein in their diet. In the wild, they eat fallen fruit, leafy greens, mushrooms, flowers, and the occasional bug or carrion.
In captivity, their diet should look like this:
🥬 Greens & Veggies (70%):
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Collard greens, dandelion, mustard greens
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Squash, pumpkin, cactus pads (spineless)
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Hibiscus leaves, rose petals
🍓 Fruits (20%):
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Papaya, mango, strawberries, melon
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Banana, apple (in small amounts)
🐛 Protein (10%, once a week):
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Hard-boiled egg
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Low-fat dog food (small pinch)
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Mealworms, snails, cooked chicken (very limited)
💊 Supplements:
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Calcium + D3: 2–3x/week
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Multivitamin: 1x/week
💡 Feeding Tip: Avoid spinach, iceberg lettuce, and anything high in oxalates.
🏡 Enclosure Setup – Where These Beauties Thrive
Melanistic Red Foot Tortoises need the same conditions as standard red foots: warm temps, high humidity, and space to roam. They’re forest-floor dwellers that appreciate deep substrate and lots of hides.
🔹 Indoor Enclosure:
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Juveniles: 3’x2′ tortoise table or tub
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Adults: 6’x3′ minimum
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Substrate: Organic topsoil + cypress mulch mix (4–6″ deep)
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Humidity: 70–85%
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Temps:
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Ambient: 78–82°F
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Basking: 88–92°F
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Night drop: 70–75°F
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Lighting: 12 hrs UVB/day + ambient heat
🔸 Outdoor Setup (if climate allows):
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Fenced tortoise-safe yard or pen
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Access to sun, shade, and humid microclimates
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Night shelter with heating if temps drop
These tortoises are incredibly hardy but still benefit from consistent warmth and access to moisture. Mist the enclosure daily or use a humidifier if indoors.
🧠 Temperament & Personality
Melanistic Red Foots are just as friendly and curious as their standard cousins. They’re smart, recognize their keeper, and will literally walk up to you when they see food coming.
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Handling: Tolerates gentle, short sessions
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Temperament: Calm, easy-going, and intelligent
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Compatibility: Can live in groups with adequate space
These tortoises are great for families, schools, breeders, or anyone who wants a turtle that isn’t just a display animal — they’ve got personality for days.
🚛 Shipping & Live Arrival Guarantee
When you buy a Melanistic Red Foot Tortoise for sale from Kingsman Exotic Reptiles, you’re getting:
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🚚 FedEx Priority Overnight Shipping
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🧊 Insulated, climate-controlled packaging
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✅ Live Arrival Guarantee
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🐢 7-Day Health Guarantee
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📸 Photos of actual tortoise available on request
We ship Monday–Wednesday to avoid weekend delays, and always provide tracking and care instructions right after your order.
🥇 Why Buy from Kingsman Exotic Reptiles?
Because this isn’t some warehouse drop-ship situation. We’re real keepers, breeders, and reptile nerds with decades of experience and a passion for quality.
With every Kingsman order, you get:
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🧬 Ethically bred, healthy tortoises
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🛠️ Personalized husbandry help
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💬 Real customer service from real herp people
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📦 Fast, safe shipping with full support
If you’re looking for a Melanistic Red Foot Tortoise for sale from people who actually care about the animals… welcome to the right place.
🛒 Reserve Your Melanistic Red Foot Tortoise Today
These blacked-out beauties are limited in availability and always in high demand. Whether you’re a breeder, a collector, or a first-time keeper looking for something rare and manageable, this tortoise will deliver in looks, personality, and longevity.
👉 Click “Add to Cart” now to claim your Melanistic Red Foot Tortoise for sale and take home a rare morph that’s equal parts exotic and lovable.
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