The Leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis) is a large and attractively marked tortoise found in Africa. It is the only extant member of the genus Stigmochelys and is the fourth largest out of the tortoise family. Leopard tortoises are shy and they withdraw into the comfort of their shell when they sense any form of disturbance or danger. Their shell pattern also provides perfect camouflage in the native habitat.
The carapace of this tortoise is high and domed with steep, almost vertical sides. Juveniles and young adults are attractively marked with black blotches, spots, or even dashes and stripes on a yellow background. In mature adults, the markings tend to fade to a nondescript brown or grey. The head and limbs are uniformly colored yellow, tan, or brown.
Leopard tortoises inhabit Southern and Eastern Africa, from Ethiopia to Sudan and from Natal to southern Angola, as well as South Africa and part of southwestern Africa. They live in hot, dry savannas with sparse vegetation, and favor semi-arid to grassland areas, characteristic of grazing species. They are often seen in shady areas or resting underneath brushy plants to escape the immense heat. Some of them, however, inhabit rainy areas.
Leopard tortoises are not particularly social. Males will determine dominance through fighting, however, such dominance does not decide much more than access to a certain female. A leopard tortoise’s day is mostly taken up with eating and resting. Their back legs are trunk-like and their front legs are paddle-shaped and they have "pigeon-toes" with a row of little "nails". These legs enable them to move very fast and maneuver easily over rocky terrain. Typically slow movers, they can sprint when startled or scared. They can also climb float and swim slowly due to the sizeable lung space in their large, domed shell that allows buoyancy. They have well-developed and good eyesight. A tortoise will hiss when it is scared, but the sound isn’t always from its mouth. When it quickly pulls its head and limbs into its shell, this forces all the air from its lungs, which may cause a hiss.
Strict herbivores (folivores), Leopard tortoises eat grass but prefer to graze on succulents, flowers, fungi, berries, and a range of other fruit. They will sometimes eat ash or old bones, possibly to supplement their levels of calcium.
Leopard tortoises are monogamous and breed only with one partner per year during the mating season. Males and females both become increasingly aggressive when they are looking for a mate, fighting by butting and ramming their rivals. This species breeds from May until October. After mating, a female digs a hole from 100 to 300 mm deep in the ground, where she will lay her frail, white, spherical eggs. Incubation is for 9 to 12 months, varying according to the location, temperature, and precipitation. 5 to 7 clutches may be produced in one breeding season, around 3 to 4 weeks apart, with 5 to 30 eggs per clutch, with larger females laying more. Once the eggs are laid, the mother covers them up and leaves. Hatchlings are independent immediately upon emerging. Leopard tortoises reach reproductive maturity at 5 years of age.
Leopard tortoises are seen throughout their geographic range as agricultural pests, and because of this, retaliatory killings do happen. They are also a staple food item for many local peoples, so where human populations are high, leopard tortoises are considered vulnerable.
According to IUCN, the Leopard tortoise is common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. According to the University of Michigan (Museum of Zoology) resource, there are 5,990 individuals in Tanzania and only 500 individuals in Ethiopia. Overall, currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.
Leopard tortoise is an important seed predator and disperses seeds throughout its environment.