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Otherwise Known As Sokakes
The radiated tortoise might have become extinct long ago if not for the help of the Antandroy people of Madagascar. These people call this creature "Sokakes" and have protected it for many years. In fact, some Antandroy villages have taken care of specific radiated tortoises for many decades. Until 1925, the tortoises were protected from hunters and other predators by opuntia, protective cactus thickets planted by the Antandroy people. These plants acted like a barrier and protected the radiated tortoise. Unfortunately, these plants were wiped out by an invasion of the Dactylopius coccus beetle. Today, the people of Madagascar are doing everything they can to help save this beautiful reptile.
Scientific name: Geochelone radiata
Size: 14 to 15 inches long
Diet: cacti, fruit, and other veggies
Habitat: dry region on the island of Madagascar
Characteristics: dark shell with yellow lines resembling triangles down its back; yellow and dark brown head
Threats: the pet trade, and overhunting
To cool off in the desert heat, a radiated tortoise will sometimes:
bury its body in soil
take a cold shower
remove its carapace (shell)
Correct!
The radiated tortoise's carapace (shell) is not removable. To cool off, this tortoise may burrow its body into the soil. Because the soil is not exposed to the sun, it's a nice place to cool off on a hot day.
Male radiated tortoises compete for female tortoises by:
shining their shells
doing a dance
butting their shells into rival males
Correct!
Male tortoises compete with other male tortoises when it comes to finding a mate. Radiated tortoises will often fight by running their shells into each other.
Radiated tortoises usually only live to be ten years old.
Fact
OR
Fiction
?
Fiction
Radiated tortoises have been known to live longer than many humans. Some tortoises have lived more than 100 years in captivity.
When a radiated tortoise is captured, it rolls over and plays dead.
Fact
OR
Fiction
?
Fiction
When a radiated tortoise is caught, it makes high-pitched cries for up to an hour. Once in captivity, it can be silent for years.