Flat-backed spider tortoise

Flat back tortoise ( Pyxis planicauda )

The flat- back tortoise ( Pyxis planicauda ) ( Malagasy: kapidolo ) is a small tortoise ( Testudinidae ) from Madagascar.

Dissemination

The turtle is endemic to Madagascar and has only been found on the west coast in the dry forest, north of Morondava between Analaiva in the south and in the north Masoarive. Characteristic of their habitat daytime high temperatures and a strong cooling during the night.

Features

The flat back turtle is 17.5 inches long. She has a for tortoises relatively flat, elongated shell of brown -orange, yellow and black patterned and leaves covered the forest floor is a good disguise. Also, the tail of the turtle is flattened.

Way of life

Little is known about the lifestyle of the flat back turtle. The animals are active only during the rainy season from December to May. During the dry season the turtles resting and hiding in the foliage. Flat back turtles feed on fruit, seedlings and leaves. In captive held animals ate with preference mushrooms and put on a year three Nistgruben, in which they each lay a single, relatively large egg. It weighs 10.5 to 17.5 grams.

Endangering

The existence of the flat back turtle is estimated to be only a few thousand copies. He is threatened by fishing for the purpose of terrarium. In the EU there is a ban on the flat back turtle.