[4] Known locally as the Karoo tent tortoise, this highly variable species is found in South Africa and Namibia.

Due to its specific diet that consists of certain Karoo plants, this species rarely survives in captivity and usually soon dies when taken outside of its natural habitat.

Its shell is dark brown or black with a pattern of yellow or orange striped stars radiating from the centre of each domed shield making up the carapace.

Three subspecies are recognised by biologists: Western ("Namaqualand") tent tortoise, Psammobates tentorius trimeni.

They depend on a very specialised diet including assorted Karoo bushes, mesembryanthemums and other South African succulents.