Radiated tortoise

The radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata) is a tortoise species in the family Testudinidae. It lives mainly in southern Madagascar, but you can also find it across the whole island, and it has been brought to live on the islands of Réunion and Mauritius. Radiated tortoises are known for living a very long time, with some living up to 188 years.

Sadly, these tortoises are critically endangered by the IUCN. This is mostly because their homes are being destroyed and because of poaching. Protecting these amazing animals is very important for their future.

Description

Adult radiated tortoises usually measure between 26 to 38 centimetres (10 to 15 inches) in shell length and weigh between 2.5 to 8.8 kilograms (5.5 to 19.4 pounds). Males tend to be the largest.

These tortoises have a classic shell shape with a rounded back and strong legs. Their legs, feet, and head are yellow, often with a dark patch on the top of the head. The shell has bright yellow lines that spread out from the center of each dark plate, creating a detailed star-like pattern. This shell design is more intricate than that of other similar tortoises.

Lifespan

Radiated tortoises live for a very long time. The oldest known radiated tortoise, named Tu'i Malila, lived to an estimated age of 188 years.

Range and distribution

Radiated tortoises are naturally found only in the far southern and southwestern parts of Madagascar. People have also brought them to the nearby islands of Reunion and Mauritius. They like dry areas with brush, thorn forests, and woodlands.

These tortoises eat mainly plants, with grass making up 80–90% of what they eat. They also enjoy fruits and juicy plants, especially the Opuntia cactus. They often graze in the same spots, keeping the plants short. They prefer fresh growth because it has more protein and less fiber.

Reproduction

Males are ready to mate when they are about 12 inches (31 cm) long, while females need to be a bit larger. The male starts by bobbing his head and smelling the female’s back legs. Sometimes, he might lift the female slightly to keep her still.

The male then climbs on top of the female from behind. This can be risky, and sometimes the female’s shell can crack. The female lays three to twelve eggs in a hole she digs, about 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) deep, and then leaves. The eggs take between 5 and 8 months to hatch. Baby tortoises are about 1.2 to 1.6 inches (3.2 to 4 cm) long when they hatch and are white or off-white, unlike the yellow adults. They develop their high-domed shell soon after hatching.

Conservation

These tortoises are critically endangered because of habitat loss, being taken for food, and being overexploited in the pet trade. They are listed on CITES Appendix I, meaning it is illegal to trade them commercially in the wild except in very special cases. However, because of the difficult economic situation in Madagascar, many rules are not followed.

We do not know how many of these tortoises are left in the wild, but their numbers are getting smaller. Many experts worry they could disappear from the wild soon. Some zoos and breeding centers are working to help save the species, including a program at the Behler Chelonian Center run by the Turtle Conservancy.

Sadly, sometimes people try to smuggle these tortoises across borders. In 2013, people were caught carrying many tortoises through an airport in Thailand. In 2016, officials in India found many tortoises in someone's luggage. Later that year, some tortoises went missing from a breeding place in Thailand. In 2018, over 10,000 tortoises were found in one house in Madagascar, and many had sadly died. The people who owned them were arrested.