Tent Tortoise
Psammobates tentorius
Points
20
per confirmed sighting
Tent Tortoise.
Psammobates tentorius
Category
reptiles
Family
Testudinidae
Size
Females reach about 15 cm carapace length; males generally about 10–12 cm.
Points
20 pts
A closer look
Field notes for spotting, identifying and understanding tent tortoise in its natural range.
Overview
How to identify it
Habitat
Arid habitats from sea level to at least 1,500 m, including dwarf shrubland with succulents, annuals, grasses and geophytes across winter-, summer- and all-year-rainfall regions.
Diet
Feeds on grasses, annual herbs and succulents; southern Namibian populations also consume herbs, bulbs, woody plant material and occasionally bone.
Behaviour
When to look
Feeding is documented mainly in the early morning and late afternoon.
Where to see it
South Africa
NamibiaSafety 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.