Ploughshare tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora).
Image: Hans Hillewaert, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Reptiles & Amphibians
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- FaunaHub record reviewed
- Checked against IUCN
- Matches source — IUCN's 2008 global assessment of Astrochelys yniphora says Critically EndangeredChecked 2026-10-09 against IUCN's Red List export published 2026-07-28 · assessment
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.
Gallery
Ploughshare tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora).
Image: NasserHalaweh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Sources
Sources for Ploughshare Tortoise
- IUCN Red List — look up Ploughshare Tortoise (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web