Head to head
Ploughshare Tortoise vs Spider Tortoise
The ploughshare tortoise and the spider tortoise are both Critically Endangered tortoises native to Madagascar, but they live on opposite coasts of the island and are known for very different shell features, one a forward-curving fighting plate, the other a delicate web-like pattern paired with a hinged shell.
| Ploughshare Tortoise | Spider Tortoise | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Astrochelys yniphora | Pyxis arachnoides |
| Size | Larger | A small tortoise species |
| Distinctive shell feature | Forward-curving throat plate used in fights | Web-like radiating pattern, with a hinged plastron |
| Shell defence | Not a hinged shell | Can partially close the front of the shell via a hinge |
| Range | A small area of northwestern Madagascar | A narrow strip of southwestern Madagascar coastline |
| Main threats | Habitat loss, fire, illegal collection | Habitat loss and illegal pet trade collection |
| Diet | Herbivore | Herbivore |
| Conservation status | Critically Endangered | Critically Endangered |
Ploughshare Tortoise vs Spider Tortoise: common questions
Which is bigger, the ploughshare tortoise or the spider tortoise?
The ploughshare tortoise is bigger; the spider tortoise is a notably small tortoise species by comparison.
What makes the spider tortoise's shell unusual?
The spider tortoise has a hinged section on the underside of its shell, the plastron, that lets it partially close the front of its shell for extra protection, a feature the ploughshare tortoise does not share.
Are the ploughshare tortoise and spider tortoise found in the same part of Madagascar?
No, the ploughshare tortoise is confined to a small area of northwestern Madagascar, while the spider tortoise is found along a narrow strip of the island's southwestern coastline, opposite ends of the country.