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3 Data Sources
critically endangered
Spider Tortoise
Pyxis arachnoides
Also known as: Madagascan Spider Tortoise • Spider tortoise • Common spider tortoise
Kingdom: Metazoa• Family: Testudinidae• Order: Testudines
The spider tortoise is a species of tortoise in the family Testudinidae that is endemic to Madagascar and is one of only two species in the genus Pyxis.
🛡️ Conservation Status
critically endangered
cr
📌 Life cycle and breeding
Very little is known about the life cycle of this endangered tortoise, which is believed to live for up to 70 years. Here they feed on young leaves, insect larvae, and even the droppings of larger animals. When the wet season arrives, the dormancy period ends and the tortoises begin to mate. Females only lay one egg when they reproduce, and the egg is incubated for about 220–250 days. The largest threats the endangered tortoise faces are the pet trade, poaching for food, and habitat destruction.
📌 Conservation
Their trade is illegal in Madagascar, but they are extensively smuggled for food, body parts, and illegal pets.
Quick Facts
Common Names:
Spider Tortoise, Madagascan Spider Tortoise, Spider tortoise, Common spider tortoise
Conservation Status:
critically endangered
Data Completeness:
100%
Data Sources
🌍gbif
📚itis
📖wikipedia
🔬eol
🦎inaturalist
References
All references are verified for authenticity. We prioritize peer-reviewed studies, reputable databases (iNaturalist, GBIF), and established encyclopedias.
Distribution Statistics
10
Observations
3
Countries
Top Locations
Atsimo-Andrefana, MG-TL, MG
1
Anosy, MG-TL, MG
1
Toliary, MG
1
Recent Observers
@thierrycordenos
@richardyank
@lemurtaquin
@danielaustin
@csanchezj7
@dawnvla
First: 10/22/2008 · Latest: 10/2/2019
Data aggregates species content from multiple sources including Wikipedia, iNaturalist, GBIF, and ITIS. Content may transform over time. Wikipedia content is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.