How big does a leopard tortoise get?

Most adults reach around 40 cm in shell length and 13 kg, though individuals from larger northern and southern populations can grow up to about 70 cm and 40 kg, making it the fourth-largest tortoise species in the world.

How long do leopard tortoises live?

They are long-lived reptiles, with lifespans commonly estimated at 80 to 100 years.

How many eggs does a leopard tortoise lay?

Females can lay 5 to 30 eggs per clutch and produce as many as 5 to 7 clutches in a single year, though the eggs take an unusually long 8 to 15 months to incubate before hatching.

Leopard Tortoiseヒョウモンガメ

Stigmochelys pardalisLC— Least Concern

The leopard tortoise is the fourth-largest tortoise species in the world, native to the arid savannas and grasslands of eastern and southern Africa. Named for its blotched, leopard-like shell pattern, which provides camouflage in grassland habitat, it is a herbivorous grazer capable of reaching 40 to 70 cm in shell length and living 80 to 100 years. Females lay unusually large numbers of eggs across multiple clutches each year, with an incubation period that can stretch beyond a year.

Leopard Tortoise (reference photo) — Photo: Berthold Werner / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification: Testudines / Testudinidae Source
Distribution: Widely distributed across the arid and savanna regions of eastern and southern Africa, from South Sudan and Somalia through East Africa to South Africa and Namibia, at elevations up to 2,900 m. Source

Did You Know?

It is considered the fourth-largest tortoise species in the world, and its namesake leopard-like blotched pattern is thought to serve as camouflage in grassland habitat. Source
When shifting home ranges, individuals may travel 20 to 50 km at a stretch—an unusually large movement range for a tortoise. Source
Females are prolific breeders, laying 5 to 30 eggs per clutch across as many as 5 to 7 clutches a year, with an unusually long incubation period of 8 to 15 months. Source

Where to See This Species

3 facilities · 0 individuals

いしかわ動物園 (Ishikawa Doubutsuen)Ishikawa

いしかわ動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

わんぱーくこうちアニマルランド (Wan Park Kouchianimaru Land)Kochi所在地は高知市桟橋通6-9-1（わんぱーくこうち内）。

わんぱーくこうちアニマルランドのWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

長野市茶臼山動物園 (Naganoshichausuyama Doubutsuen)NaganoJR篠ノ井駅が最寄り駅。

長野市茶臼山動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

IUCNでLC（低懸念）ですが、地域ごとの生息状況には差があります。

Habitat

アフリカのサバンナ、草原、半乾燥地。

Threats

生息地の改変
採集
道路による分断

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

生息地保護
取引の管理
飼育下での繁殖

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org

Support Conservation

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Visit: A visit itself helps support the facility.
Animal Supporter Programs & Giving: Find ways to support the facility through its official website.
Furusato Nozei: Municipally run facilities may share official guidance for this Japanese hometown-tax program.

FAQ

How big does a leopard tortoise get?: Most adults reach around 40 cm in shell length and 13 kg, though individuals from larger northern and southern populations can grow up to about 70 cm and 40 kg, making it the fourth-largest tortoise species in the world. Source
How long do leopard tortoises live?: They are long-lived reptiles, with lifespans commonly estimated at 80 to 100 years. Source
How many eggs does a leopard tortoise lay?: Females can lay 5 to 30 eggs per clutch and produce as many as 5 to 7 clutches in a single year, though the eggs take an unusually long 8 to 15 months to incubate before hatching. Source

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org