FAQ "...I keep a group of 1.3 Radiated Tortoises for many years. The weights of the animals are between 5 and 9 kg. Unfortunately, I have never been able to observe mating or egg laying in my animals. What could be the reason for this?"

For a targeted and regular breeding of Astrochelys radiata you need above all patience and perseverance. If a group of Radiated Tortoises is already raised together as young animals, the animals sometimes get used to each other under relatively low-stimulus and constant conditions, like an old married couple, in such a way that they turn out to be regular mating muffle even though they have reached sexual maturity. We therefore recommend to make the daily life of the animals more "stimulating". Raising the temperature to 30-35°C and humidity to 80%, as well as regular exposure to the sun and fresh air will work wonders. Separating the sexes for several weeks without the animals being able to see and smell each other also has a very stimulating effect when they meet again. Considering the ritualized mating behavior of the animals, the presence of several males is also beneficial. Critically check whether all husbandry parameters have been implemented consistently. If none of the measures should be effective after several repetitions, a new composition of the group with exchange of single specimens is to be considered. In rare cases an inflammation and degeneration of the ovaries caused by viruses or bacteria can occur with irreversible infertility. We consider a regular breeding program of Astrochelys radiata in an indoor environment, without access to natural sunlight, to be out of the question.