At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Reptiles & Amphibians
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The ploughshare tortoise (angonoka) is a striking, high-domed tortoise from Madagascar and one of the rarest tortoises in the world. It is assessed as Critically Endangered.
Its beautiful golden shell has made it a target for collectors.
Range & habitat
A small area of north-western Madagascar.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Poaching for the illegal pet trade
- Habitat fires
- A tiny range
Why it matters
Among the world's rarest tortoises, the ploughshare tortoise is on the front line of the fight against the illegal high-value pet trade.
Sources
Sources for Ploughshare Tortoise
- IUCN Red List — look up Ploughshare Tortoise (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the ploughshare tortoise so valuable to collectors?
Its distinctive high-domed, golden shell makes it prized in the illegal pet trade, which drives intense poaching despite its rarity.
Why is it Critically Endangered?
Published assessments cite poaching for the pet trade, habitat fires, and an extremely small natural range in north-western Madagascar. See the IUCN Red List.
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