Name

Leopard Tortoise

Scientific Name

Stigmochelys pardalis

Characteristics

The tortoise is a land-dwelling reptile in the family Testudinidae which contains around 40-50 species.

Tortoises are well-known for their hard outer shell that protects them from predators. This shell can range in size from a few centimetres to a couple of metres, depending on the species. The African Speckled Tortoise is the world’s smallest tortoise reaching a maximum carapace (the shell’s top) length of 11 centimetres.

The Leopard Tortoise is the fourth largest tortoise in the world and can grow to 70 centimetres in length and weigh 54 kilograms. This species is easily recognised by their domed carapaces with contrasting black and yellow patterns.

Diet

Tortoises are herbivores and feed on grasses, sedges, flowers, succulents, and fruits.

Size Fact

The Galapagos tortoise is the world’s largest, with some specimens exceeding 1.5 metres.

Food Fact

Predators of eggs and hatchlings include small mammals, birds, and other reptiles.

Fun Fact

Some individuals are known to have lived longer than 150 years!

IUCN Red list

The Leopard Tortoise has not been evaluated on the IUCN red list.

Where do I live?

Leopard Tortoises are found in Eastern and Southern Africa.

Our tortoises

You can find our leopard tortoises sharing an enclosure with the ring-tailed lemurs.