The geometric tortoise has a very strong carcass which is used for defence, but it's most important weapon for defence is it's pattern of black and yellow. These colours are arranged in ray-like markings and help in the camouflaging of the tortoise to it's environment.

There are only two hundred to three hundred of these tortoises in existence. They are found in game parks or reserves of the Southwestern Renosterveld which is the natural habitat for geometric tortoises, it is a coastal region that once stretched one hundred and sixty kilometers northwards of Cape Town to the west coast. The tortoises were also found one hundred and sixty kilometers within this region. However over the years this region has reduced in size and so has the population of the tortoises. This is a result of man's demand for agricultural land for wheat and vines.

Besides this, pet hunters have also contributed in the diminishing number of these tortoises. More than that, their natural enemies have a hand in it all. All these enemies include baboons, jackals, mongooses, crows and secretary birds. Mating for geometric tortoises takes place in spring. The female's clutch hasw up to four eggs of which she buries in soil, they hatch two seasons later in autumn.

Geometric tortoises are the only ones of South Africa's twelve land tortoises which may be subjected to extinction. Although all tortoise species of South Africa are protected by law, this will not automatically stop them from exstinction completely, it will slow down the process of deterioration.