Animal Behavior: Growing to a carapace length of up to 16 inches and weighing up to 35 pounds, A. radiata is considered to be one of the world's most beautiful tortoises. A. radiata 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.

Eating Habits: A. radiata is an herbivore. Grazing makes up approximently 80-90% of their diet. They feed during the day primarily on grasses, fruit, and succulent plants. A favorite food in the wild is the Opuntia cactus. In captivity A. radiata is known to eat sweet potatoes, carrots, apples, bananas, alfalfa sprouts, and melons.

Range: Astrochelys radiata only occur naturally in the extreme southern and southwestern part of the island of Madagascar.

Conservation Efforts: Unfortunately, A. radiata is severely endangered due to loss of habitat, being poached for food, and being over exploited in the pet trade.

Animal Facts: Females lay from 3 to 12 eggs in a pre-excavated hole 6 to 8 inches deep and then depart. Incubation is quite long in this species, lasting usually between 145 and 231 days. Juveniles are between 32 to 40 mm upon hatching. Unlike the yellow coloration of the adults, the juveniles are a white to an off-white shade. Juveniles attain the high-domed carapace soon after hatching.