Tortoises of Madagascar

[Helen M]

I've recently bought Miguel Pedrono's The Tortoises and Turtles of Madagascar. It's a lovely book and I wondered if anyone else knew of any books or papers I can access on the tortoises of Madagascar just for personal interest. Though one day I hope to nab a ploughshare

Helen xx

[SeeShell]

Wishful thinking Helen Would love to go to Madagascar - was watching one of Attentburgh's nature progs the other night and touched on the radiated torts. The wildlife there really is unique and untouched by man! Sorry - don't know of any such books.

[Helen M]

Originally Posted by SeeShell

Wishful thinking Helen Would love to go to Madagascar - was watching one of Attentburgh's nature progs the other night and touched on the radiated torts. The wildlife there really is unique and untouched by man! Sorry - don't know of any such books.

It's got the highest rate of endemic species on the planet. Unfortunately it isn't untouched by any means. 90% of the habitat is already thought to have gone over the centuries.

At least a couple of the tort species have also became extinct a few hundred years ago. Only pockets of habitat persist around the perimeter of the island though all species of tort are threatened by poaching for food and for the pet industry.

Helen xx

[SeeShell]

Ah, right. That's interesting - not the impression the documentary gave I must say. Sounds a bit like Galapagos - wasn't until I saw the lonesome George doc, and read "The Last tortoise" that I appreciated just how much man had encroached.

[EJ]

google John Behler and Saint Catherines Island... I'm sure other references wil come up... oh... Quinten Bloxum is another name. Really good book.

Originally Posted by Helen M

I've recently bought Miguel Pedrono's The Tortoises and Turtles of Madagascar. It's a lovely book and I wondered if anyone else knew of any books or papers I can access on the tortoises of Madagascar just for personal interest. Though one day I hope to nab a ploughshare

Helen xx

[Helen M]

Originally Posted by EJ

google John Behler and Saint Catherines Island... I'm sure other references wil come up... oh... Quinten Bloxum is another name. Really good book.

Thanks Ed

Helen xx