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Leopard Tortoise

Geochelone Pardalis

Last updated: January 20, 2021
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff

The most widely distributed tortoise in Africa!

Continue Reading after the facts...


Leopard Tortoise Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Testudines
Family
Testudinidae
Genus
Geochelone
Scientific Name
Geochelone Pardalis

Leopard Tortoise Conservation Status

  • Near Threatened

Leopard Tortoise Locations

  • Africa
Leopard Tortoise Locations

Leopard Tortoise Facts

Main Prey
Grasses, Weeds, Flowers
Distinctive Feature
Large body size and protective, patterned shell
Habitat
Grassland and savannah
Predators
Cats, Dogs, Humans
Diet
Herbivore
Lifestyle
  • Solitary
Favorite Food
Grasses
Type
Reptile
Average Clutch Size
12
Slogan
The most widely distributed tortoise in Africa!

Leopard Tortoise Physical Characteristics

Colour
  • Brown
  • Grey
  • Yellow
  • Black
  • Tan
Skin Type
Scales
Top Speed
0.3 mph
Lifespan
50 - 100 years
Weight
18kg - 54kg (40lbs - 120lbs)
Length
40cm - 70cm (16in - 28in)

Leopard Tortoise Images

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The leopard tortoise is a large species of tortoise found throughout the African savannas. The leopard tortoise is the fourth largest species of tortoise in the world, and is also the most widely distributed tortoise species in Southern Africa.

The leopard tortoise has a wide distribution in sub-Saharan Africa from Sudan to the Cape. As a grazing species of tortoise, the leopard tortoise is most commonly found in semi-arid areas including shrubland and grasslands.

The leopard tortoise is one of the world’s largest tortoise species as they can grow to 70 cm in length and weigh about as much as a small person. As with other tortoise species, the leopard tortoise has a large shell which protects it’s softer body. The limbs of the leopard tortoise are able to retract back into the leopard tortoise’s shell so that no body part is left vulnerable.

The leopard tortoise is a generally solitary animal that spends the majority of its time grazing on plants, which it can do effectively using its sharp beak-like mouth. As with other tortoise species, the leopard tortoise is a long-lived animal species, often reaching 100 years old or even more.

The leopard tortoise is a herbivorous animal meaning that it only eats plants and plant material in order to sustain itself. The leopard tortoise primarily grazes on grasses, leaves, berries and flowers along with fruits such as the prickly pear.

Due to its fairly large size, the leopard tortoise has few natural predators within its African habitats as many simply cannot penetrate the leopard tortoise’s high-domed shell. Humans are the primary predators of the leopard tortoise along with the occasional wild cats and dogs.

Leopard tortoises are not able to reproduce until they are at least 10 years old (known as reaching sexual maturity). As with other tortoise and even reptile species, the female leopard tortoise lays her clutch of up to 18 eggs into a burrow in the ground, which is quickly covered to protect her young from hungry passers-by.

Although there are thriving populations of leopard tortoises in more remote areas, when they are close to humans, the leopard tortoise populations are generally suffering, something which is primarily due to over-hunting by humans.

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Leopard Tortoise FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Are Leopard Tortoises herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?

Leopard Tortoises are Herbivores, meaning they eat plants.

What Kingdom do Leopard Tortoises belong to?

Leopard Tortoises belong to the Kingdom Animalia.

What class do Leopard Tortoises belong to?

Leopard Tortoises belong to the class Reptilia.

What phylum to Leopard Tortoises belong to?

Leopard Tortoises belong to the phylum Chordata.

What family do Leopard Tortoises belong to?

Leopard Tortoises belong to the family Testudinidae.

What order do Leopard Tortoises belong to?

Leopard Tortoises belong to the order Testudines.

What genus do Leopard Tortoises belong to?

Leopard Tortoises belong to the genus Geochelone.

What type of covering do Leopard Tortoises have?

Leopard Tortoises are covered in Scales.

In what type of habitat do Leopard Tortoises live?

Leopard Tortoises live in grasslands and savannas.

What is the main prey for Leopard Tortoises?

Leopard Tortoises eat grasses, weeds, and flowers.

What are some predators of Leopard Tortoises?

Predators of Leopard Tortoises include cats, dogs, and humans.

What are some distinguishing features of Leopard Tortoises?

Leopard Tortoises have large bodies and protective, patterned shells.

How many eggs do Leopard Tortoises lay?

Leopard Tortoises typically lay 12 eggs.

Sources
  1. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2011) Animal, The Definitive Visual Guide To The World's Wildlife
  2. Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals
  3. David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia
  4. Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species
  5. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals
  6. Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals

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