Leopard Tortoise

Possibly the most striking contrast of big animal name and little animal presence, the leopard tortoise is a common site found in savannas across Africa. Large, and distinctively marked, this impressive tortoise is a member of the small five - the only one with an average life span of around 100 years.

The planet’s fourth largest tortoise species, these hefty chelonians can reach weights of up to 54 kgs, and measure in at a whopping 70 centimetres long (in large tortoises). Larger than average tortoises, the Leopard Tortoise known primarily for its shell and markings. Individual tortoises sport entirely different variations on the standard colouring - yellow skinned or cream coloured, with solid black splotches or stripes, dashes, spots, or dotted areas. Shells themselves are dome-shaped, with a higher arch than other tortoises, and also prone to pyramid shaped scutes (an external plate on tortoise shells).

Much like other members of its family, the Leopard Tortoise is a grazing animal, partial to semi-arid, thorny and grassland habitats. The only time Leopard Tortoises dig is in order to make nests for eggs, choosing to live in abandoned holes or dugouts the rest of the time. It can remain underwater for up to 10 minutes at a time, and is the most widely distributed tortoise in South Africa.

Erring on the side of defense rather than offense, Leopard Tortoises will quickly retract head, tail and limbs into their shells when threatened, the air expelling from their lungs creating a hissing sound as they do.

Owing to their longevity, Leopard Tortoises are not usually considered sexually mature until they reach an age of between twelve and fifteen years old - the exception to this rule is in captive Leopard Tortoises, who typically grow and mature much faster. The courting process involves the male repeatedly ramming the female in question before initialising intercourse. She will lay up to eighteen eggs, hatching from the ground under very specific climate conditions.