Northern Spider Tortoise
Pyxis arachnoides brygooi
Range
Habitat
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.