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Spider Tortoise
Pyxis arachnoides (1827,
Bell) |
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| general
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| description |
A small and glamorous
tortoise that has extreme variations in shell pattern |
| a.k.a |
Madagascan spider tortoise |
| distribution |
 Southwestern
Madagascar;
from the Manombo River south to Soalara and Anakas.
code : MG |
| adult
size |
5" - 6" carapax length
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| hatchling
size |
approx. 1.5" carapax
length |
| subspecies |
arachnoides, brygooi,
oblonga |
| housing |
| natural
habitats |
Terrestrial; tropical
forests |
| cage
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It does not seem to have
very great space requirements. Cage does not need to be
high since it does not climb much. (e.g. Wooden
Terrarium, Glass
Terrarium) |
| substrate |
Cypress or eucalyptus
mulch, moss (e.g. Forest
Bed , Forest Moss),
barks (e.g. Repti Bark,
Coconut Bark)
Since it digs, the depth of substrate should be at least
2" - 4" |
| activity
period |
Daytime (diurnal);
12 - 14 hours each day with direct natural sunlight or
UV lamp (e.g. ReptiSun 5.0,
UV Heat Bulb) |
| temperature |
30 - 35 ¢XC -- basking
spot (e.g. Basking
Spot Lamp)
22 - 26 ¢XC -- cooler area (e.g. Daylight
Blue Bulb)
19 - 24 ¢XC -- at night (e.g. Nightlight
Red Bulb, Infrared
Heat Lamp, Ceramic
Heat Emitter) |
| humidity |
75 - 80 % |
| water
dish |
a large shallow water
dish (e.g. Rock water
dish) should be available for soaking and drinking
all the time. |
| hiding
place |
Optional. Possibllites
include caves (e.g. Habba
Hut, Heat Cave), etc |
| diet |
| diet |
Herbivorous (plant-eating);
Various fruits (e.g. Plums, Peaches, Strawberries, Apples
with skin, Kiwi, Starfruits, Papayas, Mangos, Tomatos,
etc), Carrots, Mushrooms, Beans, Peas, Grass, Veggies,
Lettuces, Flowers, Dark Leafy Greens (e.g. dandelions,
mustards, collards, turnips, kales), Box
Turtle & Tortoise Food , Tortoise
Formula |
| notes |
a large diversity of plant
matter should be offered |
| reproduction |
| reproduction |
Oviparous |
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