Endemic to the dry southern forests of Madagascar, the radiated tortoise has an amazingly long lifespan.

The oldest tortoise on record reached an estimated 188 years old.

Their shell is domed and highly intricate, with bright yellow star patterns radiating outwards on each plate.

The shells have both blood vessels and nerves.

Meaning that it can feel when it's being touched.

The sharp decline in the tortoise's population is mostly due to hunting and the black market pet trade.

In Madagascar, their meat is considered a delicacy, and illegal poaching has decimated wild populations.

Additionally, their distinctive markings on their shells have made them desirably as pets.

It's estimated that a staggering quarter-of-a-million radiated tortoises are harvested each year.

Conservationists estimate these animals could go extinct in less than 20 years.

This is the radiated tortoise.