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.

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.

University of South Florida

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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).

Original language	American English
Journal	Default journal
State	Published - Jul 1 2011

Keywords

GOPHERUS-AGASSIZII
DESERT TORTOISE

Disciplines

Zoology

Access to Document

https://doi.org/10.2744/CCB-0850.1

Cite this

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title = "Aggregated Drinking Behavior of Radiated Tortoises (Astrochelys radiata) in Arid Southwestern 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).",

keywords = "GOPHERUS-AGASSIZII, DESERT TORTOISE",

author = "Doody, {J. Sean} and Castellano, {Christina M.} and Riana Rakotondrainy and Ronto, {William M.} and Rakotondriamanga, {Tantelinirina M.} and Julio J.",

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T1 - Aggregated Drinking Behavior of Radiated Tortoises (Astrochelys radiata) in Arid Southwestern Madagascar

AU - Doody, J. Sean

AU - Castellano, Christina M.

AU - Rakotondrainy, Riana

AU - Ronto, William M.

AU - Rakotondriamanga, Tantelinirina M.

AU - J., Julio

N1 - "Aggregated Drinking Behavior of Radiated Tortoises (Astrochelys radiata) in Arid Southwestern Madagascar," 10(1) J. Sean Doody, Christina M. Castellano, Riana Rakotondrainy, William M. Ronto, Tantelinirina M. Rakotondriamanga, Julio J. Duchene, Zigzag Randria Chelonian Conservation and Biology (1 July 2011)

PY - 2011/7/1

Y1 - 2011/7/1

N2 - 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).

AB - 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).

KW - GOPHERUS-AGASSIZII

KW - DESERT TORTOISE

UR - https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/fac_publications/3726

UR - https://doi.org/10.2744/CCB-0850.1

M3 - Article

JO - Default journal

JF - Default journal

ER -

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

Abstract

Keywords

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