Radiated Tortoise

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*This page is under renovation and all information may not be up-to-date or complete*

Description

Radiated tortoises have yellowish extremities and a high domed shell. Their carapace, or top shell, is black with a yellow star-like pattern that radiates out from the center of each scute.

Range & Habitat

Radiated tortoises are native to dry spiny forests, sandy coastal shrublands, and rocky coastal outcrops in southwestern Madagascar.

At the Virginia Zoo, two radiated tortoises can be seen on the African Safari Trail. Our Animal Ambassador radiated tortoises live behind-the-scenes where they can be specially trained to participate in up-close encounters and educational programs.

Behavior

Radiated tortoises are more active during the rainy season, from December through February. This is when their dry habitat receives most of its 16 inches of annual rainfall.

Female radiated tortoises lay 1-3 clutches of 1-5 eggs each during the rainy season. These eggs incubate for up to 10 months, with the eggs strategically hatching at the onset of the next rainy season.

Diet

Radiated tortoises are herbivores. They eat grasses, flowers, fruit, invasive Opuntia cacti, and even dry leaves when soft vegetation is not available. Radiated tortoises show a preference for new growth vegetation.

Conservation

The greatest threats to this species include poaching for food and the international pet trade. Habitat loss due to clearing land for agriculture or livestock and harvest of wood for charcoal are also challenges for this species.

One of the Virginia Zoo’s conservation partners, the Turtle Survival Alliance, plays a large part in protecting radiated tortoises in their natural habitat.

Fun Facts

• Historically, this species was one of the most abundant tortoises on Earth, with a population of 12 million radiated tortoises.
• The oldest known radiated tortoise was a female named Tu’i Malila. She was reportedly a gift from Captain James Cook to the Tongan royal family in 1777. She passed away in 1966 at the estimated age of 188 years-old.

Virginia Zoo Animals

Male: Sokatra (hatched: 7/10/2003)

Females: Malila (born: 4/24/1994)

Animal Ambassadors: Antano & Narivo