Spider tortoise is a species of tortoise endemic to southwestern Madagascar. The species possess spiders-web like pattern on its back and hence its name. There are three subspecies of this species.
| Kingdom |
Animalia |
| Phylum |
Chordata |
| Class |
Reptilia |
| Order |
Testudines |
| Family |
Testudinidae |
| Genus |
Pyxis |
| Scientific Name |
Pyxis arachnoides |
| Size |
Around 11.1 cm |
| Weight |
7 to 14 oz |
| Color |
Five to eight yellow lines radiating out from a yellow center on a black or dark brown outer shell; underside of the shell is yellow with dark head speckled with many yellow spots; brown legs and tail |
| Distribution |
Southwestern Madagascar |
| Habitat |
Areas with sandy soil and low lying vegetation dominated by spiny vegetation in Mikea and dry forests |
| Diet |
Young leaves, grasses, roots of succulent plants, insects, cow dung containing insect larva |
| Hibernation Fact |
Many individuals undergoes aestivation by burying themselves deep into the sand |
| Predators |
Birds of prey, fossa, snakes |
| Breeding Season |
Rainy season |
| Mode of Reproduction |
Oviparous (egg laying) |
| Clutch Size |
1 egg |
| Incubation Period |
7 to 8 months |
| Reproductive Age |
6 to 7 years of age |
| Average Lifespan |
Up to 70 years |
| IUCN Conservation Status |
Critically Endangered |
Spider Tortoise Pictures Gallery
-
-
Baby Spider Tortoise
-
-
Pyxis Arachnoides
-
-
Spider Tortoise Images
-
-
Spider Tortoise Pictures
-
-
Spider Tortoise
-
-
Tortoise Spider
-
-
Madagascar Spider Tortoise
-
-
Spider Tortoise Size
