Leopard Tortoise
Name
Leopard Tortoise [Stigmochelys pardalis] still classified by some as [Geochelone pardalis]
Subspecies
Western Leopard Tortoise [Stigmochelys pardalis pardalis] and Eastern Leopard Tortoise [Stigmochelys pardalis babcocki]
Vital Statistics
Class - Reptilia
Order - Testudines
Family - Testudinidae
Length_F - 750 mm
Length_M - 300 - 450 mm
Description
The leopard tortoise is 700 mm in length, weighs up to 40 kgs and has a domed-shaped carapace with faintly raised scutes. It sometimes has a hooked beak, which is unicuspid and often serrated.and an absent nuchal.
Distribution
The leopard tortoise lives mainly in savannah areas found within South Africa. Notable areas include South Western Cape, Eastern Cape into KwaZulu Natal and Lesotho.
Breeding
The leopard tortoise lays between 6-15 large shelled eggs in a hole dug by the female. Which she refills and using her belly tramps down the soil. In South Africa, hatchlings weigh 23 - 50 g and measure 40 - 50 mm.
Diet
The leopard tortoise is a herbivore, and feeds mainly on grasses and succulents found in South Africa. They occasionally eat bones and hyena faeces out in the wild.
