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Madagascar Radiated Tortoise
For more pictures, click Radiated Tortoise Pictures
| | Scientific Name: |
- Geochelone radiata
- Synonyms:Testudo radiata, Asterochelys radiata
| | Description: |
- Also known as Radiator
- CITES listing: Class I (01/07/1975)
- Radiated Tortoise has the following characteristics:
1. Radiated and hig-domed carapace
- lines radiating from the center of the dark shell plate
2. A blunt head
3. Elephantine feet
- Almost as same as Star Tortoise but larger size and different shell pattern design
| | Distribution: |
- Point of origin is exotic island of Madagascar
- Can be located at most southern and southwestern part of Madagascar, Mauritius & Reunion
| | Breeding: |
- When male tortoise reaches 31 cm, and female tortoise reaches few cm longer
- Normally male will fight during breeding season to get its partner
| | Nesting: |
- 3 to 12 spherical brittle-shelled eggs per nest
- Incubation is from 5 to 8 months
- Juveniles are between 3 to 4 cm upon hatching
| | Size: |
- Up to 16 inches (42 cm)
- Up to 35 pounds (16 kgs)
| | Life Span: |
| | Diet: |
- Herbivore
- Fruits, succulent plants, flowers, and grasses
- Favorite food is Opuntia cactus
- Mixture of kale, chicory, and collard greens is also acceptable
| | Tortoise Habitat and Vivarium Housing: |
- These tortoises are found naturally in the most southern and southwestern part of Madagascar
- Distributed nearby of island of Reunion
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