Greater Dwarf Tortoise
Homopus femoralis
Points
40
per confirmed sighting
Greater Dwarf Tortoise.
Homopus femoralis
Category
reptiles
Family
Testudinidae
Size
Maximum reported shell length about 168 mm; females are larger than males.
Points
40 pts
A closer look
Field notes for spotting, identifying and understanding greater dwarf tortoise in its natural range.
Overview
How to identify it
Habitat
High-altitude habitat, mainly about 900–1,900 m, in Dry Highveld Grassland and eastern Nama-Karoo, with marginal occurrence in Savanna and Fynbos. Often found under vegetation in shrubland and sometimes associated with rocky terrain.
Diet
Wild diet remains poorly documented. SANBI reports that captive individuals eat a wide variety of plants, but a detailed wild species-level diet is not resolved.
Behaviour
When to look
Low activity overall; activity increases after rain and the species appears to brumate in winter.
Where to see it
South AfricaSafety and etiquette
Observe from a safe distance and never handle or feed wildlife.
Verification and sources
1500 verified species across ten Southern African countries. Spotted an error? Tell us through community guidelines.