Leopard tortoise

Introduction: The Leopard Tortoise (Geochelone pardalis) is the most common species of tortoise in Namibia. It is the largest of the country's tortoise species and adults are rarely confused with any other tortoises. It is also known as the mountain tortoise although it is not just found in those regions. The name 'mountain' is more likely to be attributed to its size rather than location. Geios is Greek for 'earth', chelone for 'tortoise' and pardalis means 'leopard'.

They are most active after sunrise and retreat when temperatures reach 30º C before returning for a further period of foraging. As with other tortoise species they hibernate in the colder, winter months.

The popularity of the Leopard Tortoise is emphasized by it being the most likely of the country's tortoise species to be a pet.

Distribution: Found throughout Namibia less for the Namib Desert regions, including a variety of habitats such as the dwarf shrub savannah of the southern Namibia, the eastern sandy Kalahari Desert, the central highlands and areas in the north central areas of the country with thorn-bush and dray woodland savannah. It is uncommon south of Grünau, Karasberg and Ariamsvlei in southern Namibia. Found in gardens from Oranjemund in the far south-west to Katima Mulilo and along the Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip).

Diet: A wide variety of wild foods including mainly herbs, grasses and to a lesser extent trees/shrubs. The Devil's Thorn (Tribulus terrestris), herb seedlings and desert thistle are among favoured food sources.

Colouring: The shell varies in size and colour and can be either smooth or domed in shape. It is usually a uniform dull brown or a bright pattern with black and yellow blotches which gives it a leopard-like configuration, hence the common name. Juveniles are mainly yellow with black spots.

Breeding: Leopard tortoises are prodigious breeders, females able to give birth throughout the year. Several clutches of eggs are produced, numbering between 5 to 18 eggs. The rainy season usually heralds the onset of hatching. Incubation periods last between 178 and 485 days.

Weight: 10 to 20kg: Adult females are usually larger than males.

Dangers and threats: With hatchlings being produced in such comparative large numbers, eggs are especially vulnerable, falling prey to predators varying in size from ants, dogs, jackals, mongooses, suricates, crows, storks, hornbills, ostriches, secretary birds to humans. Fires, human and natural, electric fences and vehicles add to the mortality rate. Tourists travelling through the Spreetshoogte Pass can occasionally observe Verreaux's Eagle preying on the Leopard Tortoise.