Scientific Name: Stigmochelys pardalis

IUCN (Red List) Status: Least Concern (LC)

The leopard tortoise is the fourth-largest species of tortoise in the world, with typical adults reaching 40cm and weighing 13kg. Adults tend to be larger in the northern and southern ends of their range, where typical specimens weigh up to 20kg, and an exceptionally large tortoise may reach 70cm and weigh 40kg .

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 coloured yellow, tan, or brown.

Habitat: Savanna, Shrubland, Grassland, Rocky areas (eg. inland cliffs, mountain peaks), Desert. inhabit rocky and often precipitous areas, from near sea level up to snow-free areas at about 4,100 m (such as the Moroccan Atlas). They also require rocks or sparse tree cover for shade, and might wander far from water sources for long periods of time

Animal Location: Savannah Sanctuary
Diet: This species is a generalist herbivore combining grazing with browsing, and can survive without drinking water for long periods (even years), eating succulent forbs.