Radiated Tortoise (Geochelone radiata)
Order: Testudines, Family: Testudinidae
Ethiopian: Geochelone radiata only occur naturally in the extreme southern and southwestern part of the island of Madagascar. G. radiata have also been introduced to the nearby island of Reunion.
I. GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
- Ethiopian: Geochelone radiata only occur naturally in the extreme southern and southwestern part of the island of Madagascar. G. radiata have also been introduced to the nearby island of Reunion.
II. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Growing to a carapace length of up to 16 inches and weighing up to 35 pounds, G. radiata is considered to be one of the world's most beautiful tortoises. G. radiata has the basic "tortoise" body shape which consists of the high-domed carapace, a blunt head, and elephantine feet. The legs, feet, and head are yellow except for a variably sized black patch on top of the head. The carapace of G. radiata is brilliantly marked with yellow lines radiating from the center of each dark plate of the shell, hence the name radiated tortoise. This "star" pattern is more finely detailed and intricate than the normal pattern of other star-patterned tortoise species, such as G. elegans of India. G. radiata is also larger than G. elegans, and the scutes of the carapace are smooth, and not raised up into a bumpy, pyramidal shape as is commonly seen in the latter species. There is slight sexual dimorphism. Compared to females, male G. radiata usually have longer tails and the notch in the plastron beneath the tail is more noticeable.
III. FOOD HABITS
- G. radiata is an herbivore. Grazing makes up approximently 80-90% of their diet. They feed during the day primarily on grasses, fruit, and succulent plants. A favorite food in the wild is the Opuntia cactus. In captivity G. radiata is known to eat sweet potatoes, carrots, apples, bananas, alfalfa sprouts, and melons. According to some sources G. radiata seem to be partial to red foods. They are known to graze regularly in the same area, thus keeping the vegetation in that area closely trimmed. They seem to prefer new growth rather than mature growth because of the high protein, low fiber content.
IV. REPRODUCTION
- Males first mate upon attaining lengths of about 12 inches; females may need to be a few inches longer. The male begins this fairly noisy procedure by bobbing his head and smelling the female's hind legs and cloaca. In some cases the male may lift the female up with the front edge of his shell to keep her from moving away. The male will then proceed to mount the female from the rear while striking the anal region of his plastron against the females carapace. Hissing and grunting by the male during mating is common. Females lay from 3 to 12 eggs in a pre-excavated hole 6 to 8 inches deep and then depart. Incubation is quite long in this species, lasting usually between 145 and 231 days. Juveniles are between 32 to 40 mm upon hatching. Unlike the yellow coloration of the adults, the juveniles are a white to an off-white shade. Juveniles attain the high-domed carapace soon after hatching.
V. HABITAT
- G. radiata prefer dry regions of brush, thorn (Diderae) forests and woodlands of southern Madagascar.
VI. CONSERVATION
- Unfortunately, G. radiata is severely endangered due to loss of habitat, being poached for food, and being over exploited in the pet trade. G. radiata is listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) which prohibits the import or export of the species under most conditions. However, due to the poor economic conditions of Madagascar, many of the laws are largely ignored. No estimates of wild populations are available, but their numbers are declining, and many authorities see the potential for a rapid decline to extinction in the wild. In the North American stud book, 400 specimens are listed as participating in captive breeding programs such as the Species Survival Plan in zoos. Captive breeding of G. radiata has shown great promise.
http://animal.discovery.com
Related Content
 Order: Testudines, Family: Dermochelyidae The largest of all reptiles, the leatherback sea turtle may reach 7 feet in length and weigh as much as 1,400 pounds. It measures 9 feet from the tip of one flipper to the tip of the other. Leatherbacks are the only turtles to have a thick layer of fat for insulation. They also have no visible shell. The shell is present but consists of bones buried into the turtle's dark brown or black skin. ...
|
 Order: Testudines, Family: Cheloniidae The Olive Ridley sea turtle can weigh as much as 100 pounds and measure 30 inches long.
Name for its olive-colored skin, the Olive Ridley has a heart-shaped carapace, or upper shell. The shell is also olive in color, and is rather thin compared to those of other turtle species.
What distinguishes the male Olive Ridley from the female is that the male's tail extends past his carapace.
...
|
 Order: Testudines, Family: Cheloniidae The hawksbill sea turtle is the only sea turtle with overlapping scales.
They have two pairs of prefrontal plates between their eyes.
The hawksbills shell varies in color, from black-brown, red-brown to yellow. Their undersides are usually white or yellow.
Adults are about 24 to 38 inches in length and weigh anywhere from 60 to 190 pounds.
|
 Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc. Getting a pet is always a very important decision and one that should be made only when you are aware of what having this pet will entail. What type of turtle, sources of turtles, and estimates of the time and money it will take to properly care for the turtle are all important considerations. But before you go out and buy a turtle, you need to ask yourself some very important questions.
|
 Order: Chelonia, Family: Cheloniidae Green turtles have a single pair of scales in front of their eyes rather than two pairs like other sea turtles have.
The green turtle is the largest hard-shelled sea turtle; adults commonly grow over 3 feet in length and weigh over 300 pounds.
Green turtles are outfitted with large, heart-shaped shells covered with horny plates. The shells are black, gray or brown (not green) — the green turtl...
|
 A policeman has made an unusual discovery near a river in Cuba - a turtle with two heads.
The tiny turtle is thought to be around a week old and was found near one of the country's most contaminated rivers.
Had it not been noticed in a pile of leaves by Officer Alexander Napoles the turtle may have died, but now it has been taken to a local aquarium.
At the moment it is healthy and b...
|
|
Add Feedback