Aggregated Drinking Behavior of Radiated Tortoises (Astrochelys radiata) in Arid Southwestern Madagascar

J. Sean Doody; Christina M. Castellano; Riana Rakotondrainy; William M. Ronto; Tantelinirina M. Rakotondriamanga; Julio J. Duchene; Zigzag Randria

doi:10.2744/CCB-0850.1

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J. Sean Doody,¹ Christina M. Castellano,² Riana Rakotondrainy,³ William M. Ronto,³ Tantelinirina M. Rakotondriamanga,³ Julio J. Duchene,⁴ Zigzag Randria⁵

¹School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia sean.doody@monash.edu
²The Orianne Society, 579 Highway 441 South, Clayton, Georgia 30525 USA
³Department of Animal Biology, University of Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
⁴University of Tulear, 601 Tulear, Madagascar
⁵Forestier Betioky-sud, CP612, Madagascar

Abstract

While conducting a monitoring program in arid southwestern Madagascar we observed a large aggregation of ca. 100 radiated tortoises (Astrochelys radiata) along ca. 80 m of dry creek bottom at the onset of the wet season. Tortoises had apparently anticipated rainfall and as precipitation ensued, immediately began drinking from small depressions in the bedrock. We discuss potential mechanisms and consequences of the behavior and compare it with similar observations in desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii).

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J. Sean Doody, Christina M. Castellano, Riana Rakotondrainy, William M. Ronto, Tantelinirina M. Rakotondriamanga, Julio J. Duchene, and Zigzag Randria "Aggregated Drinking Behavior of Radiated Tortoises (Astrochelys radiata) in Arid Southwestern Madagascar," Chelonian Conservation and Biology 10(1), 145-146, (1 July 2011). https://doi.org/10.2744/CCB-0850.1

Received: 31 March 2010; Accepted: 1 March 2011; Published: 1 July 2011

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