Stigmochelys pardalis
Leopard Tortoises are the most widely distributed of Africa’s tortoises, inhabiting habitats ranging from moist savannas to arid scrub, and from sea level to 2900m above. They feed on a wide variety of plants, especially grasses, succulents, forbs, flowering annuals and fallen fruit. They’ll also gnaw on bones or faeces to supplement their calcium intake, and are dependent on a reliable source of fresh water. It is mainland Africa’s largest species of tortoise, adults averaging 40cm in length with a weight around 13kg, though they can exceptionally grow to weigh 40kg under favourable conditions. Females are bigger than males.
Leopard tortoises are diurnal in habit and most active in the warmer months of the year. In very hot or very cold temperatures, they will take cover in dense vegetation, between or under rocks and logs, or in abandoned holes in the ground. They are surprisingly adept at swimming. As is well known in most species of chelonians, the Leopard Tortoise retracts into its carapace at the slightest sign of danger.
Leopard Tortoises only attain sexual maturity at between 12 and 15 years of age and are mostly solitary, except in the mating season. Males will fight over females in the mating season, which in South Africa stretches from September to April, and will attempt to turn each other over. Female leopard tortoises may lay multiple clutches of up to 30 (more usually 6-15) eggs during spring and summer in pits they dig with their hind feet in a sunny, well-drained spot. After laying she fills the hole again and stamps the ground flat with her feet and body. Depending on temperatures the eggs take from 8 to 15 months to hatch, often only after rain has softened the soil above them so that the hatchlings can dig themselves out. Females hatch from warmer nests while males develop at lower temperatures. Hatchlings are only 4-5 cm long and weigh only 20-50g. Eggs and young tortoises fall prey to most of Africa’s reptilian, avian and mammalian predators, and lions and hyenas will take adults occasionally. They are also very vulnerable to veld fires and often infested with ticks. Leopard Tortoises have lived to 75 years in captivity and some sources claim they could reach 100 years in the wild.
The Leopard Tortoise is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, having a wide distribution in Eastern and Southern Africa. While still numerous in conservation areas, they are dwindling in numbers in areas with high human populations due to habitat modification, illegal collection from the wild for the pet trade (for which several countries have set up captive breeding programs) and to a lesser extent consumption as food. In South Africa they occur at least in parts of every province but can only be considered common in protected areas.
Leopard Tortoises are named for the mottled yellow-and-black carapace of young animals, which dulls and darkens with age.
DeWetsWild 
Can you please shed some light on the social interaction of leopard tortoises with one another? Just as in one of the photos you have posted here, I came across a trio of tortoises this morning in Jeffreys Bay (the one at the back being clearly younger than the others). I assumed they were a little family? I have never, ever seen a tortoises hanging out with others before, and the little trio this morning was walking all in a row, one right after the other. The little one at the back was so focused on following that he kept running into the big one in front of him, causing the big one to fall flat each time. It was such a sweet sight, and really brightened my day. Would love any insights you might have as to the social life of leopard tortoises. 🐢🐢🐢
What you saw was mating behaviour, Michele. Males are usually smaller than females, and follow her around when she is ready to mate. Competing males will try to push each other over, while they bump the female from behind to coax her into stopping so that they can mate.
How about that? Nest temperature determines the sex of the clutch of eggs. How do you know all these things??
I blame my parents, Jane – if they didn’t instill a love for nature and wildlife in me I wouldn’t have devoured every guide book I could get my hands on from before I could read. And now it has rubbed of on our son as well…
Hi guys. I remember seeing these moving slowly across both dirt and tar roads in KNP. I would always stop and pick them up and move them to the side they were walking towards. After I had had a good look around first to check for predators.
Made me smile, Kim, thinking about all the times we’ve done that too, only for the tortoise then to turn around and cross the road back to where he came from. They can be so stubborn!
Their shells are fascinating!
Especially when they’re still young and the markings still bright and clear.
I’ve recently seen the turtles on Zakynthos island, but they were sea ones. Looked a bit differently … 😉
Such an ancient family!
This is so interesting to me. I just love turtles. I really enjoyed how this was so informative!
We have a different turtle here in Hawaii…Sea Turtles! If you want to read about it, check out my post! https://adventuresofabusymom.com/2017/05/29/in-a-moment-he-was-gone-sea-turtles/
Glad to know that you liked this post so much! And thank you for the link to your blog, am going to check it out straight away!
For as different as their life/climates are, they really have quite a bit in common
Ek hou van …
Baie dankie, Tina!
Exciting information and great pictures! 🙂
Glad you liked it so, Annica!
Any sorts of tortoises have always been very interesting to study. These animals are easy to like, I think.
Of course we agree, Cayenne!
Such pretty tortoise’s, they are so neat and the egg hatch time is amazing! 🙂
Tortoises are always a hit in our nature reserves, especially with children.
As many cute and small animals, they are a victim for the pet trade. Do it really take 8-15 months for theirs egg to hatch? It must be in cold circumstances.
You are quite correct that temperatures play a part John, as well as having to wait for rains to soften the ground for them to emerge.
so interesting!
Great question, John!