Radiated Tortoise
Geochelone radiata
- Habitat: Dry spiny forests
- Range: South and south-western Madagascar
- Natural Diet: Grasses and Opuntia, which is an invasive species in Madagascar
- Status in the Wild: THREATENED
Fun Facts
- Radiated tortoises have unique star-shaped patterns on their shell with yellow centers and lines running from the center to the periphery. They are one of the most beautiful tortoises of the world.
- Males have a longer, more distinct tails than females.
- Females dig holes in the ground with their hind legs in which they lay eggs. Three clutches of eggs with up to 5 eggs per clutch are laid in the breeding season
- The eggs are incubated for approximately 6 to 8 months
- They have long life spans and can live to 90 years
Conservation Threats
Major threats to wild populations of this species are:
- Habitat loss due to agricultural practices, livestock grazing, and collection of wood.
- Tortoises are also captured for the pet-trade and human consumption.
Radiated tortoises live in dry and arid habitats 
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