Head to head
Ploughshare Tortoise vs Radiated Tortoise
The ploughshare tortoise and the radiated tortoise are both Astrochelys tortoises native to Madagascar and both Critically Endangered, but they are known for entirely different shell features, one a forward-curving fighting plate, the other a radiating starburst pattern unique to each individual.
| Ploughshare Tortoise | Radiated Tortoise | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Astrochelys yniphora | Astrochelys radiata |
| Distinctive shell feature | Forward-curving throat plate used in fights | Radiating starburst pattern unique to each individual |
| Range | A small area of northwestern Madagascar | Dry spiny forest of far southern Madagascar |
| Population size | Only a few hundred individuals remain | Larger population, but still sharply declining |
| Lifespan | Long-lived | Often over 100 years, with one reported case of about 188 years |
| Main threats | Habitat loss, fire, illegal collection | Poaching for bushmeat and the pet trade |
| Diet | Herbivore | Herbivore |
| Conservation status | Critically Endangered | Critically Endangered |
Ploughshare Tortoise vs Radiated Tortoise: common questions
Which tortoise is rarer, the ploughshare tortoise or the radiated tortoise?
The ploughshare tortoise is rarer, with only a few hundred individuals remaining, compared to the radiated tortoise's larger, though still severely declining, wild population.
How do the shells of the ploughshare tortoise and radiated tortoise differ?
The ploughshare tortoise has a distinctive forward-curving plate beneath the throat that males use to flip rivals during fights, while the radiated tortoise instead has a high-domed shell patterned with bright yellow starburst lines unique to each individual.
Are the ploughshare tortoise and radiated tortoise closely related?
Yes, both belong to the genus Astrochelys, a small group of tortoises found only in Madagascar, and both are Critically Endangered.