typhlonectes: What tortoise lives in Madagascar and only grows to the size of a grapefruit? Tha
typhlonectes: What tortoise lives in Madagascar and only grows to the size of a grapefruit? That would be the spider tortoise (Pyxis arachnoides). Its name was inspired by the pattern on its shell, which is reminiscent of a spiderweb! The roughly 6-inch (15-centimeter)-long reptile inhabits arid forests along the southern coast of the island, where it feeds on leaves, insects, and the insect larva within cow poop! Unfortunately, the species is threatened due in part to habitat loss and the illegal pet trade.Photo: Charles James Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia via: American Museum of Natural History -- source link