Radiated tortoise

Radiated tortoises become sexually mature at the age of 15 to 20 years. The female lays up to 12 eggs in a sand hole about 20 cm deep. After around 5 to 12 months, the 4 cm small tortoises hatch. Hatching is triggered by increased humidity (rain) - so the young turtles find sufficient food.

The radiated tortoise’s favourite foods are fruits, grasses and cacti, but sometimes it also eats insects. During the rainy season, it drinks from water pools that collect on rocks. In times of water scarcity, the radiated turtle stays hydrated by extracting water from its food using its hindgut digestive system.

Southern Madagascan tribes traditionally believe that touching or eating the radiated tortoise is taboo, but this protection was lost with civilization.