Ploughshare Tortoise
CR

Ploughshare Tortoise

Astrochelys yniphora

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angonoka_tortoise

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Angonoka tortoise faces severe population decline primarily due to illegal collection for the international pet trade, with individuals selling for thousands of dollars on black markets. Habitat destruction from slash-and-burn agriculture, charcoal production, and livestock grazing has fragmented the remaining dry deciduous forests of northwestern Madagascar. Introduced pigs destroy nests and compete for food resources, while fires set for cattle pasture eliminate critical vegetation cover.

Threat summary

Habitat

Endemic to the dry deciduous forests and bamboo scrublands of the Baly Bay region in northwestern Madagascar. Requires areas with dense canopy cover, leaf litter for foraging, and suitable nesting sites in sandy soils.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical dry· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical mangrove vegetation· majorSavanna· majorShrubland· majorRocky areas· majorMarine neritic· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies managementSpecies recoveryLegislationCompliance and enforcement

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Ploughshare Tortoise classified as Critically Endangered?
Ploughshare Tortoise is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Angonoka tortoise faces severe population decline primarily due to illegal collection for the international pet trade, with individuals selling for thousands of dollars on black markets. Habitat destruction from slash-and-burn agriculture, charcoal production, and livestock grazing has fragmented the remaining dry deciduous forests of northwestern Madagascar. Introduced pigs destroy nests and compete for food resources, while fires set for cattle pasture eliminate critical vegetation cover.
Where does Ploughshare Tortoise live?
Ploughshare Tortoise occurs in Madagascar. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Ploughshare Tortoise?
The main threats to Ploughshare Tortoise are 2.3, 5.1, 5.1.1, and 5.4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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