Radiated tortoise

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Radiated tortoise
Conservation status
Vulnerable (IUCN) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Sauropsida Order: Testudines Suborder: Cryptodira Family: Testudinidae Genus: Geochelone Species: G. radiata
Binomial name
Geochelone radiata Shaw, 1802

The Radiated tortoise (Geochelone radiata) is a species in the genus of the geochelone tortoises. It is fairly large and considered to be one of the most beautiful tortoises in the world.^[2] Although this species is native only to Southern Madagascar and mostly only found there, it can be found in the rest of this country and has been introduced to the islands of Réunion and Mauritius.^[3] As the Radiated Tortoises are herbivores, grazing constitutes 80-90% of their diet, while they also eat fruits and succulent plants.^[2] These tortoises are, however, endangered, mainly because of the destruction of their habitat by humans and because of poaching.^[2]

[edit] Footnotes

1. ^ Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (1996). Geochelone radiata. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Listed as Vulnerable (VU A1acd+2cd, B1+2abc v2.3)
2. ^ ^{a b c} Egeler, 2000
3. ^ EMYSystem Species Page

[edit] References

• Kirkpatrick, David D.The Radiated Tortoise in Reptile & Amphibian Magazine March/April 1992, pages 18-24.
• Geochelone radiata Report in Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved March 19, 2006.
• Egeler, J. 2000. "Geochelone radiata", Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved March 19, 2006.
• EMYSystem Species Page: Geochelone radiata. Retrieved March 22, 2006.

[edit] External links

• Radiated Tortoise by Reptile Amphibian Information