Leopard Tortoise
Stigmochelys pardalis
Summary 4
The Leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis) is a large and attractively marked tortoise found in the savannas of eastern and southern Africa, from Sudan to the southern Cape. It is the only member of the genus Stigmochelys, but in the past it was commonly placed in Geochelone instead. This chelonian is a grazing species of tortoise that favors semi-arid, thorny to grassland habitats, although some leopard tortoises have been found in rainier areas. In both very hot...
Diagnosis 5
The leopard tortoise is the fourth largest species of tortoise in the world, with typical adults reaching 40 centimetres (16 in) and weighing 13 kilograms (29 lb). Adults tend to be larger in the northern and southern ends of their range, where typical specimens weigh up to 20 kilograms (44 lb) and an exceptionally large tortoise may reach 70 centimetres (28 in) and weigh 40 kilograms (88 lb).
The carapace is high and domed with steep, almost vertical sides. Juveniles and young adults are attractively marked with black blotches, spots or even dashes and stripes on a yellow background. In mature adults the markings tend to fade to a nondescript brown or grey. The head and limbs are uniformly colored yellow, tan, or brown.[1]
Conservation 6
The leopard tortoise is a widespread species and remains common throughout most of its range. Human activities, including agricultural burning, consumption, and especially commercial exploitation in the pet trade, are potential threats but have not yet caused significant population declines. They are increasingly being bred in captivity for the pet trade. For example, most tortoises exported from Kenya and Tanzania originate in captive breeding programs, alleviating collection from the wild.[2]
Sources and Credits 7
- Branch, Bill (2008). Tortoises, Terrapins & Turtles of Africa. South Africa: Struik Publishers. p. 128. ISBN 1-77007-463-5.
- Baker, P.J.; et al. (2015). "Stigmochelys pardalis". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Juergen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/21230663@N03/3126638860
- (c) Bernard DUPONT, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/berniedup/6014949418/
- (c) Bernard DUPONT, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/berniedup/11492502184/
- Adapted by calebcam from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stigmochelys_pardalis
- Adapted by calebcam from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopard_tortoise
- (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopard_tortoise
- (c) calebcam, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
