Spider Tortoise Hatchling - a Repeat Success!

About a year has passed since Cleveland Metroparks Zoo hatched its first Northern spider tortoise, and we've done it again! A baby spider tortoise, hatched on St. Patrick's Day, has become the fourth of its subspecies (Pyxis arachnoids brygooi) ever to be hatched at a North American zoo. The new arrival gives the the Zoo's RainForest one of the largest populations of Northern spider tortoises in the country. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo remains the only facility to have successfully hatched the subspecies under artificial light only. Check out the exclusive photos.

Remember this story? It's one year later and we've got another one! Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Herpetologist Brad Poynter has repeated his success in hatching a Northern spider tortoise at The RainForest (read the press release). Although its gender is unknown, the little tortoise has been nicknamed "Patrick" because it hatched on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2008. Patrick arrives in the wake of humbling news that his subspecies (Pyxis arachnoides brygooi) has recently been assessed as critically endangered (turtle species red list) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The tiny tortoise, slightly bigger than a quarter, is doing very well in its tank in The RainForest, daily nibbling on various greens and actively exploring its surroundings. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to get some very early baby photos:

And, if you're wondering how they stack up size wise, here's a photo of the new hatchling (right) with an adult spider tortoise (middle) and the Zoo's hatchling from 2007 (left):




Comments

 
By: nancy Kelley
On: 03/29/2008 16:49:15
I think the birth of these tortoise's is exciting. As a lover of toroises I enjoy reading about them. Will we be able to see them in the rain forest soon? Keep up the good work!

Nancy Kelly
 
By: Hollie
On: 03/30/2008 20:38:11
These guys are so beautiful! Truly amazing pictures! Cleveland Zoo has any and every animals dream habitat, and not all zoos have that!
 
By: Ron
On: 03/31/2008 19:35:55
How many eggs are being laid at a time? Is fertilization of the eggs the primary issue or is it incubation problems?
 
By: web keeper
On: 04/02/2008 16:58:37
Hi Ron,

Thanks for the questions! A new blog article has been posted with a video in which reptile keeper Brad Poynter briefly explains the difficulty of hatching a spider tortoise egg (mainly an incubation issue). He also informs me that only one egg is laid at a time. (Watch the video.)
 
By: Connor
On: 04/05/2008 12:50:37
nice spider tortoises
is this how big the mom is going to get ?
 
By: Mark
On: 06/01/2008 10:38:25
Can you explain how to tell the difference between male and female Northern Spider Tortoise? Possible send me a picture showing the difference?

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