Radiated Tortoise

Species : Radiated Tortoise (Geochelone radiata)


Description: The Radiated Tortoise has a high-domed carapace, which is brilliantly marked. Its name comes from the striking yellow lines that radiate from the center of each dark plate on the shell. This tortoise's pattern is much more detailed and intricate than those found on other tortoises. This same pattern that makes them stand out so in a collection or a photo makes them nearly invisible in their natural habitat of thorny brush and tall grasses. Geochelone radiata are one of the larger species of tortoise, reaching 40 cm. These tortoises are very rare and considered highly endangered in the wild. They are also not common in captivity.

Distribution: Madagascar

Adult Size: 5" - 6" carapax length

Hatchling Size: 1.5" length

Natural Habitats: Terrestrial; tropical forests

Activitiy Period: Daytime (diurnal);12 - 14 hours each day with direct natural sunlight or UV lamp (e.g. ReptiSun 5.0, UV Heat Bulb)
30 - 35 C -- basking spot (e.g. Basking Spot Lamp)
22 - 26 C -- cooler area (e.g. Daylight Blue Bulb)
19 - 24 C -- at night (e.g. Nightlight Red Bulb, Infrared Heat Lamp, Ceramic Heat Emitter)

Humidity: medium-high

Natural Diet: Herbivorous. Excessive protein as well as all animal protein should be avoided as they are highly prone to pyramiding. G. radiata are also extremely attracted to any foodstuff that are red in color. The diet offered should consist of:
Leafy greens (dandelions, clover, endive etc.) Fruits (10 – 20 %) Grasses

Eggs: 2-9 eggs

Red-footed Tortoise

Species : Red-footed Tortoise (Geochelone carbonaria )

Description: Red-foot tortoises have red scales on the limbs. Color on the head can range from yellow to orange. There is a smaller phenotype commonly called the 'Cherry head' which, true to the name, has bright red markings on the head.

Distribution: South America and the Caribbean Islands; generally around the perimeter of the Amazon River basin, including Paraguay, Suriname, Colombia, Guyana, Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador; introduced on to many of the islands in the West Indies.

Adult Size: 1' - 1'2" carapax length for male;10" - 1' carapax length for female;reach this size in 15 years;largest in record is 1' 8"

Hatchling Size: approx. 1.5" carapax length

Lifespan : around 50 years

Natural Habitats: Terrestrial; tropical forests

Activitiy Period: Daytime (diurnal);12 - 14 hours each day with direct natural sunlight or UV lamp (e.g. ReptiSun 5.0, UV Heat Bulb)

28 - 30 C -- basking spot (e.g. Basking Spot Lamp)26 - 27 C -- cooler area (e.g. Daylight Blue Bulb)24 - 25 C -- at night (e.g. Nightlight Red Bulb, Infrared Heat Lamp, Ceramic Heat Emitter)

Diet: Herbivorous (plant-eating);Fallen Fruits (specially Plums), Mushrooms, vines, succulents, Grasses, Greens, Flowers, occasionally carrions

Occasioanl Food: Various fruits (e.g. Plums, Peaches, Strawberries, Apples with skin, Kiwi, Starfruits, Papayas, Mangos, Tomatoes, etc), Carrots, Mushrooms, Beans, Peas, Grass, Veggies, Flowers, Dark Leafy Greens (e.g. dandelions, mustards, collards, turnips, kales),

Never Feed On: Very Juicy Fruits, Tomatos, Bananas, Cabbages, Cucumbers, Bok Choy, Iceberg Lettuces, Rhubarbs, Broccoli, etc

Eggs: lays 2 - 4 clutches of 5 - 15 eggs per year

Mating Ages: 4-5 years

Leopard Tortoise

Species : Leopard (Geochelone pardalis )

Description: The leopard tortoise is the fourth largest species of tortoise in the world,It is a large and attractively marked tortoise. The caraspace is high and domed, and pyramid shaped scutes are not uncommon. The skin and background color is cream to yellow, and the carapace is marked with black blotches, spots or even dashes or stripes.

Distribution: Eastern & Southern African including southern Sudan, Ethiopia, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Angola; from sea level to 2000 m elevation; absent from the Congo Basin, Cape of Good Hope (Cape Province, Republic of South Africa)

Adult Size: 1' 6" - 2' carapax length ; 40 - 70 lbs. ;largest in record is 2'2" and 95 lbs.

Hatchling Size: 2" - 3" carapax length

Lifespan : 40-50 years

Natural Habitats: Terrestrial; Arid grasslands

Activitiy Period: Daytime (diurnal);12 - 14 hours each day with direct natural sunlight or UV lamp (e.g. ReptiSun 5.0, UV Heat Bulb)

Humidity: Low

Natural Diet: Herbivorous (plant-eating);grass, succulents, vegetables, fruits.

Occasioanl Food: Grass, Dark Leafy Greens (e.g. dandelions, mustards, collards, turnips, kales),

Never Feed On: Very Juicy Fruits, Tomatos, Bananas, Cabbages, Cucumbers, Bok Choy, Iceberg Lettuces, Rhubarbs, Broccoli, etc

Eggs: 5-18 eggs

Mating Ages: 12-15 years

Exotic Pets : Indian Star Tortoise

Species : Indian Star (Geochelone elegans)


Description: Star tortoises are stunning in their beauty with the radiating ”star” pattern on their carapace making them an eye-catching disply in zoos or private collections the world over. Removing one of these animals from its display and placing it in tall grass where this pattern mimics the light and shadow of sunlight through tussocks of grass brings about an instant realization of the effectivness of their camouflage pattern as well as a better understanding of their native habitat.

Distribution: Central and southern India, south to Sri Lanka and west into Pakistan


Adult Size: approx. 6" carapax length for male;approx. 10" carapax length for female

Hatchling Size: 1.5" - 2" carapax length


Natural Habitats: Terrestrial; deciduous forests, dry savannahs, and grasslands


Activitiy Period: Daytime (diurnal);12 - 14 hours each day with direct natural sunlight or UV lamp


Temperature: 30 - 32C -- basking spot (e.g. Basking Spot Lamp)

27 - 28 C -- cooler area (e.g. Daylight Blue Bulb)

25 - 26 C -- at night (e.g. Nightlight Red Bulb, Infrared HeatLamp, Ceramic Heat Emitter)


Humidity: Low

Natural Diet: Herbivorous (plant-eating);grass, succulents, vegetables, fruits and occationally meat

Occasioanl Food: Grass, Dark Leafy Greens (e.g. dandelions, mustards, collards, turnips, kales),


Never Feed On: Very Juicy Fruits, Tomatos, Bananas, Cabbages, Cucumbers, Bok Choy, Iceberg Lettuces, Rhubarbs, Broccoli, etc


Eggs: lays batches of 3 - 9 eggs each per year; Incubation lasts about 140 - 150 days


Mating Ages: from 10 - 15 years