Radiated tortoise | Chester Zoo animals

About

With their star-patterned shells, radiated tortoises are among the world’s most beautiful tortoise species! Their shells contain nerves and blood vessels, meaning the radiated tortoise can feel you when you touch its shell.

Females lay between five and twelve eggs, which are buried in a hole before undergoing a lengthy incubation period of five to eight months.

The radiated tortoise has a long lifespan. In fact, it has been recorded that one lived to an incredible 188 years.

Native to and found mostly in southern Madagascar, radiated tortoises are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Their population is steadily declining due to habitat loss, deforestation, and the illegal pet trade.

Radiated tortoise facts

SPECIES

I am a reptile

They have one of the longest lifespans of any animal on Earth.

FOUND IN

Southwestern Madagascar

They are almost exclusively found on the Mahafaly and Karimbola plateaus.

HABITAT

Dry tropical forests

They prefer spiny forests, sandy coastal scrub and rocky coastal outcroppings.

DIET

Herbivore

They eat dead leaves, flowers, fruit, and cacti.

BEHAVIOUR

Friendly and peaceful

Like many other tortoise species, the radiated tortoise typically lives mostly alone, although it is not uncommon to see several grazing together. They often graze in the same areas, which helps keep vegetation closely trimmed.

AVERAGE SIZE

41cm

LIFE SPAN

Over a century!

These tortoises have incredibly long lives, with the longest recorded at an astonishing 118 years old.

ZOO LOCATION

Tropical Realm

You can find the radiated tortoise in Tropical Realm.

IUCN red list statusCritically Endangered