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Radiated Tortoise For Sale These magnificent animals can live for over 100 years! However, the degrading of their pristine and endangered dry, spiny forest habitat and the international trade in pets have caused a dramatic decline. radiated tortoise for sale that are radiated have been able to adapt well to the issue of water scarcity. They can meet a portion of their requirements by eating plants that contain water. They can also enter a form of dry torpor to save energy. Habitat The name of the radiated tortoise originates from the bright yellow lines radiating from the center dark plates on its shell. These lines, which appear like rays from the sun, are what make it so beautiful. This species is only found in the forests and scrublands in Madagascar. It is classified as Critically Endangered. Its main threats are habitat loss, the introduction of non-native plants and the collection for the pet trade. In the wild they are preyed on by snakes and large birds of prey. They possess a variety of defense strategies, that include making a loud screeching sound and a tendency to hide their soft limbs and heads inside their hard shells. They also feed, which keeps the vegetation around their shells trim and helps protect them from predators. Despite their dire status the radiated tortoises are doing very well in captivity and are a favorite option for a lot of tortoise lovers. They are smart and sociable animals that make excellent pets. In reality, they can live up to 50 years or more in captivity if they are treated with care and conditions. They will need a large enclosure with temperatures that vary and UVB light, as well as areas to hide and soak in the sunlight. They are required to eat a nutritious diet of leafy vegetables, fruits and occasionally fruits. Like other tortoises, radiated tortoises are somewhat difficult to clearly sex but they can become sexually mature by age 12. Males may have a longer tail and scutes that are narrower on their plastron. Females will have a bigger plastron, and a smaller tail. Despite being listed on the CITES Appendix 1 which grants it the highest level of protection, radiated turtles are often killed for their carapace and meat in the wild. In addition, they are poached and collected to be used in the international pet trade that is growing quickly. These factors together make the radiated tortoise one of the most endangered species in the world. Conservation organizations have been putting in great effort to improve their status and stop the species from disappearing in the wild. Diet In the wild the tortoises that are radiated are known as browsers. They eating grasses, meadow herbs and low leaves of shrubs and bushes, as along with some flowers. They also eat cactus pads, an essential part of their diet. They can digest prickly vegetation easily thanks to their tough skins and strong beaks. In captivity they can easily meet their dietary requirements through a variety of hays. They also consume greens and fruit. We recommend an Mazuri Tortoise Diet supplemented by spring mix, cactus pad and zucchini. Like all tortoises, radiated tortoises are extremely active and spend the majority of the day grazing. In the wild, radiated tortoises tend to graze between sunset and sunrise, while to avoid the midday sun. This allows them to cool down and rest however they continue to hunt throughout the day. They have been classified as Critically Endangered due to habitat destruction and exploitation for pet trade. In the wild they are prey for a variety of predators including Snakes and Birds Of Prey. They are able to defend themselves by making screeching noises and tucking their soft limbs and heads inside their shells. Unfortunately, these defenses do not always work. Adult radiated tortoises can be found in dry, hot environments with no humidity. We recommend an extremely high humidity during the first 2-3 years since they are beginning to form their shells and need extra moisture to do this. We provide a humid hide that can be used to provide additional shelter for tortoises or incorporated into their enclosure. Female radiated tortoises will start to produce after reaching maturity at approximately 12 inches in size. Male radiated tortoises often appear larger than females once they reach sexual maturity. They are sexy when looking at the anal scutes on the plastron. Once a female starts producing, she will build a nest with her back legs and lay 1-6 eggs. Then she will burrow her eggs and leave the nest. She will start laying again as she continues to mature, typically at least every other year. Care When people hear Madagascar people think of the animated film that featured an unruly group of Zoo animals battling the indigenous wildlife of the island. Madagascar is home to the radiated turtle (Astrochelys radia), which is a long-lived species famous for its distinctive star-shaped shell. The stunning tortoise from the land can live for up to 188 years and is classified as critically endangered. The destruction of its dry forests and the illegal trade in food and pet consumption have contributed to the decrease in their numbers. It is possible to keep tortoises as pets even though they require a lot of patience and commitment. It is best to buy an radiated tortoise that was bred in a captive environment. This means the animal was raised in conditions that are similar to those in the wild. This is vital to the tortoise's health as well as well-being. These turtles are prone to respiratory infections and decay, so it is crucial to keep up with regular veterinary exams. As buy baby tortoise online passes the tortoises in captivity become accustom to their human caregivers and could even develop a bond with them. They might start to think that feeding is a part of your presence and may even appear to greet you at time to feed. They are known to be extremely active and spend the majority of the day outside in the sunlight or eating. When the sun sets they will retreat to an area shaded by trees. They might become active again in the evening. The tortoises that live in the radiation zone are also adapted to times of water shortage, as they are able to store large amounts of water in their bladders and can meet some of their needs by taking in succulent plants that have water. In drought times they can hide in their caves and then enter a dry torpor to save their energy and water resources. It is essential to avoid buying tortoises that look sick or unhealthy at first sight. These animals are often carriers of dangerous pathogens that quickly spread to other healthy species. Instead, it is recommended to seek out an accredited rescue or breeder should you be interested in purchasing one of these beautiful creatures. Health This stunning tortoise is an illustration of the urgent need for the conservation of Madagascar's critically endangered dry forest habitat. This species is among the most commonly traded wildlife species on Earth and that is what is causing the rapid decline in their numbers. They are marketed for food, as pets and for their beautiful shells. The tortoise with radiated stripes is a sociable and easy-going animal. They make a great tortoise companion due to their calm personality and long-lasting life expectancy. In captivity they are fun to play with. They are very curious and will approach their owner with enthusiasm when it's time to eat. They grow rapidly reaching 16 inches in adulthood. They enjoy grazing and eating a variety of fruits and vegetables. The ideal enclosure should resemble their natural habitat and offer areas for grazing, hiding and basking. The radiated tortoise is a species that thrives well in hot, dry conditions. They are well adapted to the depletion of water and store excess water in their bladders during periods of drought. They can also cover part of their water requirements by eating food that contains water such as succulents, forbes and Cactus. They can go months without drinking water. When there is a severe drought, radiated turtles seek refuge under fallen leaves or in the bushes to avoid predators. As juveniles and hatchlings the tortoises of radiated species often congregate physically in areas of shelter in their tanks for rearing. This is probably an indication of the way they seek physical contact to their conspecifics in the wild. It is not uncommon for tortoises that are radiated to reproduce together in captivity. This is a lengthy and often unproductive process. This requires patience and idealistic thinking from the breeder. When females reach 11-12 inches in shell length and have a shell length of 11-12 inches, they are the ideal age to start sexing them. This size permits precise sexual sexing of females according to their tail length, anal and gular scutes and other sexing traits that are common to females.