Leopard Tortoise

Vital Statistics

Latin Name

Geochelone Pardalis

Length_F

750 mm

Length_M

300 - 450 mm

Order

Testudines

Family

Testudinidae

Description

They may exceed 700 mm in length and 40 kg in weight. The carapace is domed and not hinged, with scutes only faintly raised. The nuchal is absent. The beak is sometimes hooked, is unicuspid and often serrated.

Class

Reptilia

Subspecies

Two races are recognized; typical race, G.p. pardalis and G.p. babcocki.

Distribution

Found throughout the savannas of Africa, from Sudan to Southern Cape. Historically absent from South Western Cape and from former Transkei, adjacent Kwa-Zulu Natal, and Lesotho, but now introduced in some areas.

Breeding

Females usually lays 6 - 15 large, hard-shelled eggs. The hole, in which she lays her eggs, are refilled and the female may tamp down the soil by lifting and dropping her shell regularly on the spot. Hatchlings weigh 23 - 50 g and measure 40 - 50 mm.

Diet

Plants including grasses, annuals and succulents. They also gnaw bones and hyaena faeces.