Ask any tortoise keeper what their dream species is – and chances are their answer will be ”Radiated Tortoises”. In this episode of Turtle Tea with TTPG, host Wendy Montroy sits down with longtime keeper and recent breeder Paul Rattay to talk about Astrochelys radiata, one of the most strikingly patterned and critically endangered tortoises on the planet.Paul got his start with Radiateds nearly 20 years ago, sourcing young animals from the late Bill Zubikian and waiting patiently for them to mature into the breeding group he keeps today. From there, the conversation covers the tortoise's narrow native range along southwestern Madagascar, the mild climate they evolved in (no brumation required), and the mounting pressures – poaching, the pet trade, habitat loss, and tourism-driven development – pushing wild populations toward collapse.The episode also digs into a topic most care guides skip entirely: the regulatory limbo Radiated tortoises live in here in the US. Import for the pet trade stopped years ago, and once Fish & Wildlife stopped issuing new permits, captive-bred offspring could no longer be added to the official stud books. The result is an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 Radiated tortoises in the US today, a large share of them undocumented, with no traceable lineage back to the original imported lines.On the husbandry side, Paul makes the case that Radiateds are one of the more forgiving large tortoise species to keep – provided you can give them space, a real growing season's worth of forage, and protection from sustained cold. He walks through his outdoor setup, winter housing in converted stock tanks, feeding routine (dandelion greens, hay, Zoo Med grassland pellets, and whatever's growing in the yard), and the very dog-like personalities that make the males in particular such rewarding animals to keep.Timestamps0:08 Radiated Tortoise Origins3:11 Madagascar Habitat6:18 Wild Threats and Status11:46 U.S. Permits and Records15:02 Radiated Care Basics17:52 Feeding and Diet22:13 Indoor Housing Setup26:06 Temperament and Behavior28:57 Availability and Breeding30:23 Space Needs and Longevity32:07 Raising Hatchlings Outdoors32:43 Yard Predators35:01 Predator Protection37:12 Supplementing and Care Tips37:56 Where to Find PaulKey Questions Answered in This EpisodeQ: Are Radiated tortoises a good species for someone new to tortoise keeping?A: Yes, with caveats. Paul describes them as one of the easier large tortoise species to work with — hardy eaters with great personalities — as long as they aren't exposed to extended cold or kept in a space too small for their eventual adult size.Q: Can you still legally import Radiated tortoises into the US?A: Not for the pet trade. Import is essentially closed except under strict scientific permits held by certified research institutions — it's not a path available to hobbyist keepers or breeders.Q: How big do Radiated tortoises get, and do they need to live outdoors?A: Adults typically reach around 30 pounds and 16+ inches, with exceptional females recorded near 65 pounds. Paul recommends outdoor space for any tortoise of this size — his adults each have roughly 30×15 feet to roam.Q: Can Radiated tortoises be sold or gifted across state lines?A: Radiated tortoises are ESA- and CITES-I-listed, meaning they cannot be sold across state lines, though in-state sales are permitted. Paul notes there's informal talk in the community about gifting animals without a monetary exchange, though he cautions there's no official policy document confirming what's legally safe.Contact our guest, Paul RattayFacebook: Rattay Radiateds – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568025690064More about the show
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