African Forest Elephant Classification and Evolution

Patience Is The Key
Animals are lively things that like humans, can often be unpredictable. Trying to capture the perfect image can often take hours of waiting and even then, you may end up with a blurry photo. Instead of trying initially to take hundreds of mediocre photos, it is also best to focus on getting just one amazing shot as time, practise and patience with your subject will show through in the finished masterpiece.

Radiated Tortoise Classification and Evolution
The Radiated Tortoise is a relatively large species of Tortoise, natively found on the island of Madagascar. Although having evolved in similar environments to other star-patternedTortoises from around the tropics, the Radiated Tortoise has more striking and complex markings than those of the IndianStar Tortoise, for example. The Radiated Tortoise is also known as the Sokake in Madagascar, and although they are critically endangered in the wild, it is widely believed that they are the most beautiful of all Tortoise species. Naturally then, they are a popular exotic pet, which is thought to be one of the main reasons for their demise.
Radiated Tortoise Anatomy and Appearance
The male Radiated Tortoise tends to be slightly larger than females and the two sexes are also easily identified as the tail of the male Radiated Tortoise is often substantially longer than that of the female. Radiated Tortoises have high-domed, dark brown to black shells, covered with bright yellow or orange intricate star-like patterns. Unlike other star-patterned Tortoises, the centres of the stars on the carapace of the Radiated Tortoise are not raised, giving their domed shell a smoother appearance. The legs, tail and head are a yellowish colour with a black spot on top of the head, which varies in size between individuals. The appearance of thisTortoise actually camouflages it perfectly in the long grasses.
Radiated Tortoise Distribution and Habitat
The Radiated Tortoise is natively found on the island of Madagascar in the far south and south-western parts of the island. They inhabit dry regions of brush, thorn forests, tall grasses and woodland, with the whole population found in an area 10,000 km squared. Isolated populations can still be found on the higher plateaus as well, but these habitats are incredibly fragmented and the existence of the Tortoise here is not thought to go on for much longer. The Radiated Tortoise is thought to have disappeared entirely from around 40% of it's historical range, due to both habitat loss and exploitation.