At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Reptiles & Amphibians
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The spider tortoise is a small Madagascan tortoise named for the spider-web-like yellow lines on its shell. It is assessed as Critically Endangered.
It lives in the unique spiny forest of the south-west.
Range & habitat
Dry spiny forest of south-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.
- Habitat loss to agriculture and charcoal
- Collection for food and the pet trade
- A shrinking range
Why it matters
A small, intricately patterned tortoise of Madagascar's spiny forest, the spider tortoise is a flagship for that distinctive, threatened habitat.
Sources
Sources for Spider Tortoise
- IUCN Red List — look up Spider Tortoise (authoritative status)
- reptile-database.reptarium.cz
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called the spider tortoise?
Its shell carries fine yellow lines radiating in a web-like, spider's-web pattern on each plate, giving the tortoise its name.
Why is the spider tortoise Critically Endangered?
Published assessments cite habitat loss to agriculture and charcoal production, collection for food and the pet trade, and a shrinking range. See the IUCN Red List.
Last updated: