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.
How about that? Nest temperature determines the sex of the clutch of eggs. How do you know all these things??
LikeLiked by 1 person
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…
LikeLike
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Their shells are fascinating!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Especially when they’re still young and the markings still bright and clear.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve recently seen the turtles on Zakynthos island, but they were sea ones. Looked a bit differently … 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such an ancient family!
LikeLiked by 1 person
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/
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
LikeLiked by 1 person
For as different as their life/climates are, they really have quite a bit in common
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ek hou van …
LikeLiked by 1 person
Baie dankie, Tina!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exciting information and great pictures! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you liked it so, Annica!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Any sorts of tortoises have always been very interesting to study. These animals are easy to like, I think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course we agree, Cayenne!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such pretty tortoise’s, they are so neat and the egg hatch time is amazing! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tortoises are always a hit in our nature reserves, especially with children.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 2 people
so interesting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great question, John!
LikeLiked by 2 people