Points

12

per confirmed sighting

ReptileConservation status: Least ConcernCommon to spot
reptiles • Testudinidae

Leopard Tortoise.

L

Stigmochelys pardalis

The largest tortoise in Southern Africa and one of the Little Five.

Category

reptiles

Family

Testudinidae

Size

40–70 cm, 8–20 kg

Points

12 pts

Log a sighting

A closer look

Field notes for spotting, identifying and understanding leopard tortoise in its natural range.

Overview

The largest tortoise in Southern Africa and one of the Little Five.

How to identify it

High domed shell with black blotches on a yellow ground, no nuchal shield.

Habitat

Very broad habitat range from sea level to above 1,500 m, including savanna, Nama-Karoo, Succulent Karoo, Fynbos, Albany Thicket and dry Highveld grassland.

Diet

Grasses and succulents

Behaviour

—

When to look

The checked SANBI sources do not provide one universal diel activity schedule across this very broad range; no day/night label is inferred.

Where to see it

South Africa flagSouth AfricaNamibia flagNamibiaBotswana flagBotswanaZimbabwe flagZimbabweZambia flagZambiaMozambique flagMozambiqueEswatini flagEswatiniLesotho flagLesothoMalawi flagMalawiAngola flagAngola
  • Kruger National ParkZA
  • Addo Elephant National ParkZA
  • Kgalagadi Transfrontier ParkZA

Safety and etiquette

Observe from a vehicle or a safe distance and never feed wildlife.

Verification and sources

1500 verified species across ten Southern African countries. Spotted an error? Tell us through community guidelines.