Enchanted Turtle Retreat
Tortoises: Pyxis arachnoides against the odds
Pyxis arachnoides subspecies are collectively referred to as Spider tortoises because of the web of lines on their carapace. Pyxis planicauda
is known as the Flat-tailed Tortoise. Pyxis arachnoides and Pyxis planicauda are CITES Appendix I species and are critically endangered. Because
of their CITES status, international trade in Pyxis species is forbidden except for research purposes. Habitat destruction, food consumption, and illegal trade in
these Madagascan tortoises are nearly insurmountable factors in the decline of Pyxis populations.
Pyxis arachnoides occupies arid regions along the southern and southwestern coast of Madagascar. It is a narrow strip of habitat that also is
home to the endangered Radiated tortoise. Pyxis planicauda is found in a small area of approximately 500 sq. km. on the west coast of
Madagascar. Because of habitat destruction that is fragmenting their home ranges and illegal collection for international trade, Pyxis tortoises
are disappearing at an alarming rate. Pyxis arachnoides also is subject to predation as a human food source. Not much is known about
the Pyxis reproductive process, but they may lay only one egg per nesting. It is difficult to have a population boom when it takes 20 long years
for a tortoise to reach adulthood, and it lays so few fragile eggs every year.
It has taken several decades in captivity for collectors to figure out how to successfully incubate Pyxis eggs. The eggs are delicate and
require a diapause during incubation that mimics a natural drop in temperature during incubation in the wild. Captive breeding in zoos and
among a small group of hobbyists is now increasing the opportunities for more breeders to participate in the small Pyxis network.
It is important for newer breeders to purchase hatchlings or juveniles from a diversity of established breeders
to lessen the chances of inbreeding.