Radiated tortoise facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Radiated tortoise |
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Astrochelys
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| Astrochelys radiata Shaw, 1802
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The radiated tortoise is a special kind of tortoise. It has bright yellow lines on its bumpy black shell. This tortoise lives in the warm, southern parts of Madagascar. In the wild, it can live for about 50 years. If cared for by humans, it can live much longer, sometimes up to 100 years!
What They Look Like
The radiated tortoise has a black spot on its head. Its legs are covered in scales and are yellow. The most amazing part of this tortoise is its shell. The shell is black and feels bumpy. It has a cool pattern of yellow stripes, like rays of sunshine. These tortoises can grow quite large, weighing up to 35 pounds (about 16 kilograms).
What They Eat
Radiated tortoises are picky eaters! They often eat from the same plant many times before trying a new one. Their diet includes seeds, fruits, and juicy plants called succulents. They also munch on shrubs. To get water, they drink from small pools that collect on rocks. Since it's very hot where they live, staying hydrated is super important for them.
Life Cycle
Radiated tortoises are known for their long lives. They can live for many decades, even over a century in some cases. A famous radiated tortoise named Tu'i Malila lived for an amazing 188 years! Young tortoises hatch from eggs and grow slowly over time. They become adults and can then have their own babies, continuing the life cycle.
Images for kids
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The shell star-pattern of the radiated tortoise
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The stuffed remains of "Tu'i Malila", the longest-lived radiated tortoise on record
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A pair of radiated tortoises mating
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A seven-day-old tortoise
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See also
In Spanish: Tortuga radiada para niños
