Urgent action is needed! The Radiated Tortoise are critically and severely endangered due to habitat

  • by: Miriam O
  • recipient: Republic of Madagascar. President Hery Martial Rakotoarimanana Rajaonarimampianina. Prime Minister Roger Laurent Christophe KOLO, M.D. Chairman of the Malagasy Transition Andry Rajoelina Nirina and The International Conservation Community.

These tortoises are critically endangered due to habitat loss, being poached for food, and being over exploited in the pet trade. Remaining populations have seen an 80% reduction in numbers over just three generations and those inhabiting south Madagascar's higher plateaus are even worse affected.
Growing to a carapace length of up to 16 in (41 cm) and weighing up to 35 lb (16 kg), the radiated tortoise is considered to be one of the world's most beautiful tortoises.
This tortoise has the basic "tortoise" body shape, which consists of the high-domed carapace, a blunt head, and elephantine feet. The legs, feet, and head are yellow except for a variably sized black patch on top of the head.
The carapace of the radiated tortoise is brilliantly marked with yellow lines radiating from the center of each dark plate of the shell, hence its name. This "star" pattern is more finely detailed and intricate than the normal pattern of other star-patterned tortoise species. The carapace is smooth, and not raised up into a bumpy, pyramidal shape as is commonly seen. There is slight sexual dimorphism. Compared to females, male radiated tortoises usually have longer tails and the notches beneath their tails are more noticeable. The Radiated Tortoise is endemic to Madagascar.

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