Radiation Turtle

Radiation land turtle, also known as radiation turtle or radiographic land turtle, got its name because of the patterns on its carapace that resemble rays. It is a relatively common species of land turtle and is easy to raise, so there are many people who

The radiated tortoise is one of the rare land turtles in the world, but it is far less rare than the Angkoraka land turtle that also survives on the island of Madagascar. The number of both turtle species has decreased due to habitat destruction. The radiated tortoise is sometimes eaten by local people as food. Both of these land turtles are listed in Appendix I of the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which prohibits their export or import. Therefore, except for those artificially bred, there are almost no wild exports.

Chinese name: 辐射陆龟

Aliases: 放射陆龟

English name: Radiated tortoise

Scientific name: Geochelone radiata

Geographic distribution: Southern areas of Madagascar Island

Habitat: Dry areas with shrubs and forests. Suitable temperature: 22-30 degrees Celsius.

Body dimension: 40cm

Reproduction mode: Oviparous. The female lays 3 to 12 nearly spherical eggs in a nest. The incubation period is usually 145 to 231 days.

Diet: In the wild, they are herbivores, eating grass and meaty foods, including cactus, which has spread rapidly since its introduction to Madagascar. In captivity, they eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, including sweet potatoes, carrots, apples, bananas, alfalfa sprouts, and various melons.

Level of difficulty in raising: Moderate

Price: The price of a radiated tortoise depends on the size of its carapace. There are some smaller ones that cost a few thousand yuan, and larger ones that cost tens of thousands of yuan are not uncommon.

In the early 1980s, the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums initiated a program to promote the breeding of endangered animals in captivity. This program, called the Species Survival Plan (SSP), monitors the breeding of endangered species in captivity to ensure that captive animals reproduce as much as possible and maintain maximum genetic diversity. In 1985, an SSP was established for the radiation land turtle, with 13 institutions and an individual contributing information on the breeding of 179 turtles. To ensure maximum genetic diversity in breeding, a pedigree registration was established. This means that if a radiation land turtle has too many offspring and its genes are overrepresented among captive individuals, it cannot be bred. These turtles are loaned or given to zoos that only intend to exhibit them without breeding. Through careful recording and management, genetic diversity has been preserved and the health of captive land turtles has been ensured. Since the inception of this program, the number of participating institutions and individuals has more than doubled, making the SSP for radiation land turtles a good start.

Under captive conditions, the breeding of radiation land turtles has achieved significant success. Since the hatching of the first batch of hatchlings in 1973, the number of artificially bred radiation land turtles has increased. For example, in the 1990 "Record Keeping for Reptiles and Amphibians" by Frank Slaven, there are records of over 50 births of radiation land turtles. Fortunately, artificial breeding has been successful for radiation land turtles under captive conditions. While their survival is threatened in the wild, captive breeding has prevented their extinction. However, the captive breeding program should not be used to prove that the destruction of the natural habitat of endangered species like the radiation land turtle is unimportant. We should be grateful to the institutions and individuals who have worked hard to make the breeding program a success, as without their efforts, we might not be able to appreciate the beauty of the radiation land turtle (Geochelone radiata), one of the most beautiful land turtles in the world.

Radiation land turtle, also known as radiation turtle, is a species of land turtle with beautiful patterns. When anyone first sees it, they will be amazed by its gorgeous patterns. Radiation turtles rarely get sick, have a low rate of stone formation, and rarely suffer from gastrointestinal inflammation. They are relatively easy to raise, but they are expensive.

1. Shell rot:

1) For mild shell rot, remove any loose dead shell, clean any debris, and disinfect with hydrogen peroxide. Apply potassium permanganate powder directly (or alternatively, apply hydrogen peroxide multiple times a day).

2) For severe shell rot with strong foul odor, which is caused by a severe infection from sensitive bacteria, antibiotic injections are required for treatment.

3) Ceftriaxone sodium is recommended for injection due to its lower toxicity. Prepare an intraperitoneal injection solution in proportion. During the treatment, supplement with some multivitamins and remember to keep the turtle dry. If you choose a cheaper option like Qingda, please note that it can only be injected intramuscularly.

4) In the picture, there is a hole on the right side. If the turtle has already perforated and is refusing to eat, it may be caused by the perforation. In this case, antibiotic injections are necessary. For local treatment, clean and disinfect with hydrogen peroxide, dab the affected area with a clean cotton swab, soak the perforation with povidone-iodine solution for 15 minutes, 4-5 times a day.

5) The treatment of severe shell rot takes a long time and requires love, patience, and perseverance.

2. Sunken Eyes:

1) Sunken eyes may be caused by severe shell rot, which leads to long-term poor appetite or loss of appetite, or by long-term malnutrition due to a large number of internal parasites.

2) Treatment should be targeted accordingly.

3) Use oral Compound Gentamycin. Administer one-third of a grain per 500g of turtle weight daily. Adjust the treatment duration to half a year or one year.

3. Tearing Eyes:

Treatment: 1) Check if the humidity is appropriate. 2) Check if there are any odors in the living environment. 3) Check if there are any hiding spots in the enclosure that could cause prolonged exposure to strong light.

4. Angular Cheilitis:

Angular cheilitis, commonly known as cracked mouth corners, often occurs on one or both sides of the corners of the mouth's mucous membranes. Depending on the causes, it can be classified as malnutrition-related angular cheilitis, streptococcal angular cheilitis, or fungal angular cheilitis.

Malnutrition-related angular cheilitis: Apply some oily or crack prevention oil on it. Take vitamin B2 orally three times a day. Topically, you can apply Boric Acid Ice Powder or YunNan BaiYao. If it is already ulcerated and inflamed, apply 1% gentian violet solution to the corners of the mouth twice daily. With these simple treatments, the majority of angular cheilitis cases can be quickly cured.

Streptococcal angular cheilitis: It is caused by streptococcus or staphylococcus infection and is characterized by wet white corners of the mouth, ulceration or ulcer, pus formation, bleeding, scab formation, etc. After local cleaning, apply an antibacterial agent (e.g., erythromycin ointment) and oral broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Fungal angular cheilitis: It is caused by fungi, mainly Candida albicans, and is characterized by wet, white, and more prominent corners of the mouth, ulceration, or ulcer. Treatment should include local washing with miconazole liquid, drying, and then applying miconazole, clotrimazole, or miconazole cream. Note that broad-spectrum antibiotics should not be used for this condition.

5. External Parasites:

When there is a parasite cling tightly to the turtle's skin like this, use tweezers to kill it first, then remove it after half an hour, and finally apply medication for disinfection.

6. Cold:

If you accidentally forget the turtle after bathing, and the water temperature has dropped significantly when you find it, if the temperature difference between the pre-bath and post-bath is more than 15 degrees Celsius and lasts for a long time, immediately feed the turtle some cold medicine to prevent problems. If the temperature difference is not more than 15 degrees Celsius, observe for 24 hours. If you notice a runny nose, feed cold medicine as soon as possible to achieve better results. If the turtle shows symptoms such as mouth breathing, drinking a lot of water, loss of appetite, mucus around the mouth, and heavy breathing, the turtle may have a lower respiratory tract infection, which can be moderate or severe. Oral antibiotics are effective for moderate infections while injection antibiotics are necessary for severe infections.

7. Internal Parasites:

1) Treatment: Administer 1/20th of Chlonor ascarid per 500g of turtle weight orally.

2) For weak turtles, supplement with multivitamins first, and then deworm them after adjusting their physical condition.

3) Please do not overuse deworming medication, as excessive use can weaken the turtle's physical condition or even cause death.

8. Urinary Stones:

1) In the early stages of urinary stones, when there are abnormal sand-like substances or small stones in the uric acid, increase the bathing temperature and extend the bathing time to promote excretion.

2) For medium-sized stones, use an enema to insert into the anus, plug the anus with your finger or thumb for two to three minutes to promote excretion. If the stones cannot be smoothly expelled, use a smooth round-headed forceps to explore the anus, grab and gently pull out the stones by hand. Apply eye ointment into the anus to help with inflammation.

3) For large stones that cannot be expelled, use an enema to insert into the anus. Use forceps to grip and try to crush the stones. Be patient and persistent as there is a chance of success. If it is impossible to remove the stones, large stones will compress the internal organs and eventually lead to organ failure and death. Due to the turtle's unique body structure, surgical stone removal is not ideal. But as long as there is hope, we should make efforts. Leave it to a veterinarian! Perform surgical operation, surgery, stone removal, and suturing.

9. Gastroenteritis:

1) For mild cases, fasting can be applied to eliminate toxins from the body and allow the turtle's gastrointestinal function to adjust itself. Alternatively, oral biological products can be taken to help establish intestinal flora as soon as possible.

2) For severe cases, oral antibiotics are needed for treatment. At the same time, supplement the turtle with multivitamins containing trace elements to ensure electrolyte and quality balance in the body. After finishing the course of antibiotics, take oral biological products to help adjust the intestinal flora.

The main reasons for loose and thin stools in land turtles are: A) Food that is high in moisture and low in fiber. Solution: Reduce the moisture content in the food appropriately and adjust the food structure. B) Bacterial infection. Solution: Same as above. C) Parasites. Solution: Deworming.

Pseudomembranous enteritis (antibiotic-associated enteritis): This type of enteritis occurs during or after the use of a large amount of antibiotics. It should be diagnosed as pseudomembranous enteritis.

Treatment: 1) For mild diarrhea, take oral biological products such as lactobacillus tablets to adjust.

2) For severe diarrhea, oral antibiotics are needed for treatment. Metronidazole is the first choice, while tinidazole is the second choice. Amebic colitis-associated diarrhea presents as jam-like feces.

Radiation land turtle is not common in our country. Although the initial appearance of the radiation land turtle that was introduced does not look good, it is relatively easy to raise. Now, more and more people like to raise radiation with good appearance. The price of radiation land turtles in the market is also becoming more expensive due to their appearance.

1. Food selection

It is not difficult to raise. They have a large appetite, grow quickly, and are active. They need a large amount of drinking water. It is worth mentioning that the radiation turtle is the cleanest land turtle among most turtles. It not only has a small amount of excrement and no odor, but the tail is also less likely to have any residue. It is easy to take care of. Male turtles need to grow to more than 30 centimeters in order to successfully mate. The tails of male turtles are relatively longer, while female turtles are shorter. The anterior end of the plastron of male turtles is also more prominent than that of females. Female turtles can lay 3 to 12 eggs, and the incubation period is relatively long, ranging from 145 to 230 days. Land turtles in Madagascar seem to have a higher acceptance of fruit such as apples and bananas than vegetables. Adult turtles can be fed fruits 1 to 2 times a week, but not excessively.

2. Environmental factors causing dietary changes

It is worth noting that Madagascar is located in the southern hemisphere, so the months of winter and summer are opposite to those in our country. The winter is dry and cold, from June to August. Most turtles hibernate during this period. Summer is hot and humid, from December to February, which is the most active season for local turtles. Therefore, it is correct to say that the turtles in Madagascar do not eat and grow all year round, but only have an active period of 3 to 6 months. The temperature range in the distribution area of radiation turtles is from around 15 degrees Celsius in July to around 33 degrees Celsius in February, which is basically similar to the climate in southern China. It is no wonder that radiation turtles can be raised exceptionally well in the south. However, due to the opposite seasons, if newly introduced turtles show signs of hibernation or loss of appetite, it is sometimes due to the difference in the seasons of the place of origin.