Radiated Tortoise

(Astrochelys radiata)


Facts

Radiated Tortoise IUCN CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (CR)

 

Facts about this animal

The radiated tortoise has a oval, extremely elevated, smooth carapace. Each of the shields bears a distinct pattern of alternate radiating bands of yellow and dark brown. Usually the yellow lines are narrower than the brown, but sometimes the reverse is the case. In very large specimens, of over 400 mm carapace length the characteristic pattern might be missing; also some entirely yellowish specimens have been recorded. The radiant pattern is also visible on the marginals and on the plastron. The head is yellow with a black top. The tail is ending with a spur-like scale.

Did you know?
that international trade in radiated tortoises taken from the wild is prohibited by its listing on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)? As a consequence, considerable efforts have been undertaken to breed radiated tortoises in human care.


 

Factsheet
Class REPTILIA
Order TESTUDINES
Suborder CRYPTODIRA
Family TESTUDINIDAE
Name (Scientific) Astrochelys radiata
Name (English) Radiated Tortoise
Name (French) Tortue radiée de Madagascar
Name (German) Strahlenschildkröte
Name (Spanish) Tortuga estrellada de Madagascar
CITES Status Appendix I
CMS Status Not listed

 

 

Photo Copyright by
André Karwath

Distribution

 


Distribution
Range Madagascar, introduced to Mauritius and Réunion
Habitat Dry thorn forests and tropical woodlands
Wild population Unknown, but decreasing (Red List IUCN 2011)
Zoo population 603 reported to ISIS (2005)

In the Zoo

Radiated Tortoise

 

How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 43 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

 

Find this animal on ZooLex

 

Photo Copyright by
Jeff Delonge

Why do zoos keep this animal

The radiated tortoise is listed as vulnerable in the IUCN red Data Book, and mainitaining a self-sustaining ex situ reserve population has some merits. it is also a good ambassador species for the largely threateneded wildlife of Madagascar, which is one of the World's Biodiversity Hotspots.

 

How this animal should be kept

In moderate and cold climatic zones radiated tortoises need an indoor enclosure and, ideally, have also an outdoor enclosure available. For up to two adult animals the indoor enclosure must have a surface of at least 5 m², for each additional adult 1-2 m² more are required.

Indoors, dry and rainy season should be simulated. During the dry season, a temperature of 22-30ºC, during the rainy seasons of 28-35ºC should be maintained, locally (radiators) evem higher. At night, temperature should be 5-8ºC lower than during the day. Lamps should provide daylight-spectrum illumination. Daily irradiation with UV lights for two hours. Humidity should range from 60-100% durin g the rainy season and 40-60% during the dry season. The feeding site should be paved, otherwise the floor may be sand-covered (about 20 cm deep), and there should be a small pool, with a water temperature of 25 ºC.

The outdoor enclosure should be well exposed to the sun. Ideally it should be large enough to allow for a grass cover, and there should be some shrubs and trees providing locally shadow. If there is no direct connection to the indoor enclosure, a shelter must be provided. The tortoises should not be kept outdoors at temperatures below 15 ºC.

The diet should be rich in crude fiber and consists of plant material, including vegetables, fruit, foliage and grass or hay.