Northern Spider Tortoise

Pyxis arachnoides brygooi

Range

• Madagascar

Habitat

• Coastal forests

Diet

• Grasses
• Young leaves
• Roots
• Insects

Both the common name (Spider tortoise) and species name (arachnoides) make reference to the beautiful web-like pattern on their carapace, or shell.

One of the world’s smallest tortoises, this species rarely grows longer than 8 inches.  Though young plant leaves and grasses make up most of their diet, this species has been known to search through cow manure for the insect larvae living within.