Radiated Tortoise

The radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata) is native to the extreme southern and southwestern tip of Madagascar and has also been introduced to Reunion and Mauritius. Its high-domed shell carries bright yellow lines radiating outward from the center of each dark plate, giving the species its name. It is among the longest-lived of all tortoises, with one captive individual, Tu'i Malila, recorded living to about 188 years, and it is primarily a grazer that favors Opuntia cactus alongside other vegetation. Habitat destruction and poaching for the pet trade and for food have driven severe declines, and the IUCN assesses it as Critically Endangered.