Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata)

Radiated Tortoise Astrochelys radiata
Name	Radiated Tortoise
Name Lat.	Astrochelys radiata
Family	Tortoises
Family lat.	Testudinidae
Order	Turtles
Order lat.	Testudines
Origin	Madagascar
Habitat	Dry forests
Diet	Herbs, veggies, hay, earthworms
Humidity	40-60 %
Behavior	Peaceful
Keeping	Individual, harem
Care Level	Experts only
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Dry terrarium
Life Span	> 100 years
Protection	CITES Appendix I; EU Annex A
Metric Units
Size	30-40 cm
Temperature	25-28 °C
Temperature Local	35-45 °C
Housing Size	400 x 200 x 100 cm
US Units
Size	12"-16"
Temperature	77-82 °F
Temperature Local	95-113 °F
Housing Size	155" x 80" x 40"

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of the ray turtles is the south and southwest of Madagascar. The main distribution area extends in a strip up to 100 km wide along the coast. There they live in the dry grassland and scrubland with dense Didiera and Euphorbia stands.

Maintenance

Minimum dimensions for the terrarium, according to the size and number of animals:

floor space for 1-2 animals

8PL x 4PL (L x W)

The carapace length (PL) is measured on the largest animal. For each additional animal the base area has to be increased by10%, from the 5th animal on by 20%. A terrarium of e.g.400 x 200 x 100 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place.

They need a terrarium structured with roots, robust plants and stones with a graveable substrate, e.g. of sand-loam-gravel mixture, as well as an easy to clean, large water basin as drinking and bathing possibility. A small portion of the substrate should always be kept slightly moist. In the case of group housing, suitable, separate retreats should be provided. For about 4 months (rainy season) the humidity must be increased significantly. A rain or mist system is ideal.

Temp. day: 25-28 °C

Temp. night: 15-22 °C

Temp. local: 35-45 °C

Humidity: 40-60

Thermostatically controlled floor heating is recommended. The lighting duration must be 10-14 hrs, depending on the season. Special lamps that produce the necessary heat and UV light are ideal. Daily UV irradiation is essential.

Diet

They are omnivores, but they feed almost exclusively vegetarian. Their diet consists of a wide range of wild herbs (plantain, dandelion, parsley, etc.), grass, hay and hay dressings, clover, sweet grasses, mushrooms, succulents, cacti and vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, cabbage leaves, cucumbers, zucchini and carrots, supplemented with commercial ready-made food for tortoises. Occasionally they require small amounts of animal protein, such as earthworms, snails or grasshoppers, and small pieces of hard-boiled egg. Fruit should be fed sparingly and infrequently because of the fructose content. Regular addition of minerals and vitamins is important. Drinking water (drunk through the nose) must always be available

A varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

Males have a concave ventral carapace (plastron) and a much longer tail

Mating occurs year-round, but cooler months are preferred. Egg laying occurs 1-3 times a year. The female buries her eggs, a maximum of 5 per clutch, about 30 cm deep, in a sandy southeast-facing spot. The incubation period is about 100-150 days at 28-29 °C. Life expectancy can be over 100 years.

Species protection

The animal population must be reported in writing to the competent authority immediately after the start of keeping. Your pet store will be happy to provide you with further information.

Species protection: WA Appendix I; EU Appendix A. You will receive a CITES document with the purchase, which confirms that this animal is an offspring. Please keep the CITES document in a safe place!

Important

For thermoregulation they need adequate shelter (e.g. caves). They are active all year round and do not hibernate in the conventional sense. Outdoor keeping is possible during the summer months, but the temperature should not drop below 15 °C permanently.

The terrarium must have good ventilation without drafts and meet the species-specific needs. Measuring devices such as thermometers, hygrometers etc. are necessary. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Contamination must be removed regularly.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Christian Sänger; Image: Othmar Sieberer

Source: BMELV (1997): Tierschutzgutachten - Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Reptilien; ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF