- Where to see one
- 5 U.S. zoos in our directory hold spider tortoise, confirmed against each zoo's own animal list.
Conservation status
Not Evaluated
This species has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List, so it sits outside the threat scale entirely.
About the spider tortoise
The spider tortoise is a tortoise endemic to Madagascar and one of only two species in the genus Pyxis. The surviving populations are found only in south-western Madagascar, where they inhabit the spiny vegetation of sandy coastal areas. Little is known of its life cycle, though it is believed to live for up to 70 years. It feeds on young leaves, insect larvae and even the droppings of larger animals. Mating begins when the wet season ends the dormancy period, and females lay just one egg, which is incubated for about 220 to 250 days.
Spider Tortoise facts
- Females lay only one egg, which takes about 220 to 250 days to incubate.
- It feeds on young leaves, insect larvae and even the droppings of larger animals.
- It is believed to live for up to 70 years.
- Trade is illegal in Madagascar, yet the species is extensively smuggled.
Where to see spider tortoise in the U.S.
5 zoos across 3 states
Find the closest one
Rank the 5 zoos holding spider tortoise by how far they are from you. Your location is used in your browser to sort this list and is never sent to us.
AZAThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited members have passed an independent inspection of animal care and welfare, safety, conservation and education, repeated every five years. Many smaller facilities never apply, so “not accredited” isn't a verdict on its own. What accreditation means · How we check this
Built from each zoo's own published animal list.
