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Leopard Tortoise
Afrikaans name: Bergskilpad
Photo © Steven Herbert
Geochelone pardalis
Sometimes called a Mountain Tortoise or a Bergskilpad in Afrikaans.
These tortoises can grow to a size of 45 cm and may weigh 12 to 13 kg. Some individuals have been measured up to 70 cm and 45 kg! That's a big tortoise.
The Leopard Tortoise gets its name from its spotted shell.
The Leopard Tortoise is found in a wide variety of habitats and at a wide range of altitudes.
These tortoises feed off many different species of plants. They are known to eat hyena faeces and bones which are thought to provide calcium which aids the development of their shells.
Tortoises are not very active during the heat of the day and during cold weather.
Female tortoises lay up to 15 eggs in a hole which she digs with her back legs.
References and further reading
A Guide to the Reptiles of Southern Africa - Author: Graham Alexander and Johan Marais - Year Published: 2007 - Page: 386Bill Branch's Field Guide to the Snakes and Other Reptiles of Southern Africa - Author: Bill Branch - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 26
Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Year Published: 2004 - Page: 174
Reptiles of Southern Africa - Author: Rod Patterson and Anothony Bannister - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 18
Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 166
The Reptiles of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. de V. Pienaar, WD Haacke and NHG Jacobsen - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 20
Tortoises, Terrapins & Turtles of Africa - Author: Bill Branch - Year Published: 2008 - Page: 66