At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Reptiles & Amphibians
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The geometric tortoise is a small, intricately patterned tortoise found only in a small part of South Africa. It is assessed as Critically Endangered.
Its shell bears striking yellow star-like markings.
Range & habitat
A small area of lowland fynbos in the Western Cape of South Africa.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Loss of fynbos habitat
- Fires
- A tiny, fragmented range
Why it matters
A jewel-patterned tortoise confined to threatened fynbos, the geometric tortoise is a flagship for one of the world's most biodiverse but shrinking habitats.
Sources
Sources for Geometric Tortoise
- IUCN Red List — look up Geometric Tortoise (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called the geometric tortoise?
Its shell carries bold yellow lines radiating in star-like, geometric patterns on a dark background, making it one of the most distinctively marked tortoises.
Why is the geometric tortoise Critically Endangered?
Published assessments cite the loss of its lowland fynbos habitat, fires, and a tiny fragmented range. See the IUCN Red List.
Last updated: