Radiated

tortoise

Astrochelys radiata

Share this page

IUCN Red List status:

Critically Endangered

For more info on classifications visit www.iucnredlist.org

Habitat

Radiated tortoises live in dry tropical forests in southern Madagascar

Diet

Radiated tortoises are HERBIVORES, they eat vegetation such as grasses, leaves, flowers, fruit and cacti. Dead leaves are a big part of their diet for much of the year.

Fun Fact

Because their shells contain nerves and blood vessels, the radiated tortoise can feel you when you touch its shell.

Fun Fact

Radiated tortoises can grow up to 41cm and weigh up to 16kg

With their star patterned shells, radiated tortoises are considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful species of tortoise!

Native to and found mostly in Southern Madagascar, they are critically endangered according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s red list of threatened species. The current population of radiated tortoises are depleting, due to habitat loss, deforestation and the illegal pet trade.
Females lay between 5 to 12 eggs which are buried in a hole and there follows a lengthy incubation period of between 5 and 8 months.
The radiated tortoise has a long lifespan. In fact it has been recorded that one lived until it was an incredible 188 years old.

The OLDEST radiated tortoise recorded lived to an incredible 188 years old

THREATS

Radiated tortoises are THREATENED by habitat loss, deforestation and the illegal pet trade

See all animals