A leopard tortoise is a yellow and black reptile native to Africa. They are one of the largest tortoises in the world and the second largest species in Africa. Like all tortoises, they have long lives and are likely able to live over 100 years.
These tortoises are herbivorous, and 98% of their diet comprises grasses and flowers. The dry environment in which they live requires them to get most of their water from their food.
They spend most of their time sleeping and eating. Due to the high temperatures of the daytime, they are most active at dawn and twilight. The temperatures in their habitat rarely get below freezing. So, they don’t hibernate like other tortoise species. Males are territorial and establish hierarchies.
Males often follow females around for days or weeks before trying to mate. They may become aggressive trying to mate, and the female will fight back if she doesn’t want to mate. Unlike many tortoise species, leopard tortoises only mate with one individual each season. Females produce many eggs in a single season because few are likely to reach adulthood.
Due to their size, adult leopard tortoises don’t have many predators. Yet, few eggs and hatchlings survive because of predators. Coyotes, foxes, and mongooses regularly prey on them.
Leopard tortoise populations are of “least concern,” but they still face some threats.
Leopard tortoises don’t make good pets for beginners. They are large, live long lives, and have special requirements. Still, for experienced tortoise owners, they can make fun, affectionate pets.
These tortoises need a lot of outside space with plenty of vegetation and places to hide. Their diet must comprise mostly grasses and hay. They should also have access to a few fruits and veggies. Read below to learn about their lighting, humidity, and housing requirements. Understanding their common health problems is also essential for quality care.
We’ve prepared a leopard tortoise care sheet for quick and easy reference.
What Is A Leopard Tortoise?
Leopard tortoises are part of the family Testudinidae, which classifies the “land tortoises.”
There are 49 tortoise species worldwide and 22 extant species in Africa. South Africa is home to 14 tortoise species. It also has more tortoise species than any other country in the world.
These tortoises are recognizable because of their large, domed carapaces, or upper shell. Their carapaces have contrasting dark and light designs when they are young.
The base color of their carapaces is typically yellow, tan, or golden brown. They are popularly known for the black splotches that form on the carapace.
The blotches are more distinct in young tortoises and fade as the tortoise ages. Many times, the splotches are not noticeable at all on older tortoises.
Leopard tortoises commonly have pyramiding of their scutes. Scutes are the plates that form their shell. Scute pyramiding is a deformity that causes the plates to grow in a pyramidal formation.
The skin of the head, tail, and feet is usually tan to medium brown.
- Common Names: Leopard tortoise, South African leopard tortoise
- Scientific Name: Stigmochelys pardalis
- Origin: Africa
- Leopard Tortoise Size (Length): 16-18 in (40-50 cm)
- Weight: 40 lbs (18 kg) on average
- Leopard Tortoise Lifespan: Unknown — likely between 80-100 years
- Enclosure Size: 10 by 10 ft (3 by 3 m)
- Temperament: Shy but curious
- Ease of Care: Moderately difficult
How Big Do Leopard Tortoises Get?
Leopard tortoises are the fourth largest tortoise species in the world. They are the second-largest tortoise species native to Africa. They are only smaller than the African-spurred tortoise.
Males and females look very similar from afar. Yet, males are typically much bigger. The largest leopard tortoise ever recorded was over 2 ft (0.6 m) in length and weighed about 80 lbs (36.3 kg). Still, leopard tortoises of this size are rare.
A full-grown leopard tortoise usually grows to about 16-18 in (40-50 cm) in length and weighs about 40 lbs (18 kg).
How Long Do Leopard Tortoises Live?
In captivity, leopard tortoises have lived for about 50 years. Their natural lifespan in the wild is unknown but estimated to be between 80 and 100 years.
Leopard Tortoise Habitat
Africa houses more species of tortoises than anywhere else in the world.
Leopard tortoises are the most widely distributed tortoises in Africa. Their habitat spans Sub-Saharan Africa. They live from Sudan to the Cape Province of South Africa.
These tortoises primarily live in the dry savannahs of the continent. Their habitat spans from temperate grasslands to arid plains. Some live on mountain terrains despite having little tolerance for the cold or damp.
They live in areas with lots of shrubs and low-lying vegetation. The vegetation serves as their primary food source and gives them a place to hide. The vegetation is also helpful for shielding tortoises from the scorching sun.
The average home range of leopard tortoises is still unknown.
Leopard Tortoise Diet
98% of a leopard tortoise’s diet comprises plant material.
Leopard tortoises are herbivores who primarily feed on various grasses and succulents. They eat far more succulents than they do grasses. In particular, they mainly feed on forbes.
Forbes are non-grassy herbaceous plants that produce flowers. They have stems and leaves and produce seeds. They also die back at the end of their primary growing season.
They eat berries and other fruits when available, but don’t have access to them often.
The extra 2% of their diet comprises ash and bone fragments. These items aren’t nutritionally rich. So, tortoises only consume them when there isn’t enough vegetation.
Tortoises don’t have teeth, so they can’t chew their food. Rather, they rip and tear at the food with their large, sharp teeth.
Water
Since they live in a dry environment, they have little access to water. They get most of their needed moisture from the succulents they eat. One of their favorite foods is the prickly pear cactus from which they eat the pads and fruit. The prickly pear cactus is one of the tortoise’s best water sources.
Due to low access to water, they need to store their water for longer than most animals. They have large anal sacs sitting in their abdominal cavity that holds water. The sac is so large that it takes up most of the abdominal cavity.
Behavior & Temperament
They do best in semi-arid climates, and their bodies can’t handle the cold or too much moisture. Yet, the savannah goes through significant temperature fluctuations throughout the day.
So, these tortoises are crepuscular. They are most active in the morning and evening when the air is cooler. During the day, when it’s very hot, they hide. At night, when it’s cold, they sleep.
Leopard tortoises spend most of their waking hours grazing on the grass. They use their acute sense of smell and touch to find their food. Leopard tortoises have no ears, so they cannot hear what’s nearby. Yet, they can sense the vibrations in the ground that likely tell them when food is around.
Leopard tortoises mostly communicate through grunts and groans. They usually only do this when they’re ready to mate.
Males also have glands in their necks that produce specific scents. These scents are a means of telling other tortoises they are ready to mate or fight.
Males are quite territorial with one another, particularly during mating season.
These tortoises establish social hierarchies. Males display aggression and compete for higher social ranking.
Unlike most turtles and tortoises, leopard tortoises do not hibernate. Most of their range consistently has temperatures between 70-100°F (21.1-37.8°C). So, hibernation is unnecessary. In a few areas, the weather may occasionally drop below freezing. In these cases, leopard tortoises seek shelter in animal burrows but do not hibernate.
Reproduction
Leopard tortoises become sexually mature around five years old. The exact age of sexual maturation is still unknown. Yet, researchers believe males become sexually mature a few years earlier than females.
These tortoises mate and nest between May and October.
Attracting A Female
Before enticing a female to mate with him, it’s common for a male to follow a single female around for days or weeks at a time. He approaches and bites her on her head and feet to initiate contact. He also emits a series of grunts and groans.
Males and females both become rather aggressive during mating season.
Aggression
Males are aggressive because they only mate with one female during the mating season. So, they ram into their potential competition.
Similarly, once they find a potential mate, they ram into her until she can’t move. In some cases, he rams her so hard that she is pushed off the ground.
Females become aggressive back when they do not wish to mate and will attempt to flee.
Mating
During mating, the male mounts the female from behind. They extend their necks forward and emit loud grunting noises during the act.
After mating, the male leaves the female alone to deal with the eggs.
The Eggs
The mother chooses a safe spot to lay her eggs and begins crafting her nest. She digs a shallow hole in the dirt, about 3.9-11.8 in (10-30 cm) deep. She lays the eggs in the hole and covers them back up.
A female leopard tortoise may lay 5-30 eggs in a single clutch. Larger females tend to have larger clutches than smaller females do.
A single female may produce five to seven clutches during a breeding season. They typically go three to four weeks between clutches.
Initially, the eggs are soft and leathery but become dry and brittle the longer they are exposed to the air. The eggs are spherical and have a diameter of about 2.3 in (5.8 cm).
After laying her eggs in the nest, the mother leaves. So, once the eggs hatch, the juveniles are on their own.
The incubation of the eggs depends on the surrounding environment. Eggs may incubate for only five months, while others may incubate for over a year.
The sex of the resulting hatchlings also depends on the surrounding environment. Average temperatures more than 86°F (°30C) produce primarily females. Average temperatures less than 86°F (°30C) produce mostly males.
The Hatchlings
Like all turtles and tortoises, a baby leopard tortoise has an egg tooth that it uses to escape its egg. Once it’s ready to hatch, the hatchling uses the egg tooth to break through the shell.
A leopard tortoise hatchling is brightly colored with blacks and yellows. As the turtle ages, its color dulls.
Upon hatching, juvenile leopard tortoises immediately begin seeking food. They prefer succulents for their higher water content. Still, they are happy feeding on other available plants.
Juvenile leopard tortoises grow rapidly during the first few months of their lives. At birth, they only weigh about 3.5 oz (100 g) but reach 10.6-14.1 oz (300-400 g) by one year.
Predators
Few animals try to eat adult leopard tortoises because they’re nearly impossible to kill. Their shells are massive and almost impenetrable.
A tortoise that feels threatened pulls its limbs inside its shell where the threat can’t hurt them.
There is a misconception that tortoises hiss at predators when they feel threatened. The hissing sound is actually produced by the air rushing out of their shells. The speed at which they pull their limbs into their shell causes that air to be pushed out.
Sometimes, leopard tortoises need another strategy for fighting off predators, particularly humans. They can clear their bowels and anal sacks when needed, which is enough to scare off most predators.
Unlike adults, hatchlings and eggs are very prone to predation. Most tortoises never hatch because they are eaten as eggs. Predators like foxes, coyotes, and mongooses eat about 80% of all hatchlings.
Conservation
The most significant threat that leopard tortoises face is habitat loss.
Historically, leopard tortoises have been exploited for the pet trade. The pet trade is not as much of a problem now, as most of the tortoises for sale are captive-bred. Yet, some species members are still taken from the wild to be sold as pets.
Another problem for their species is hunting by humans. Their hard shells are sometimes used for making tools. Their meat is also useful for food and making medicines. Yet, these tortoises aren’t hunted often. So, hunting doesn’t seem to be a significant concern to their populations.
Leopard tortoises are important throughout their range for seed distribution. They feed on seeds constantly, and as they travel, they disperse the seeds through their feces. Such distribution keeps vegetation plentiful throughout their range.
Are Leopard Tortoises Endangered?
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature assessed leopard tortoises in 2022. They list them as “least concern” with an “unknown” population trend.
Leopard Tortoise Care
Leopard tortoises have specific care requirements and aren’t keen on handling. So, these animals are best suited for those with previous turtle care experience.
Check out the information below to learn how to care for these colorful tortoises.
Leopard Tortoise Enclosure
Leopard tortoises are large animals adapted to warm weather. They are best suited for climates that are warm most of the year and need lots of space. Be prepared to set up a large indoor enclosure if winters are harsh.
Hatchlings
Hatchling leopard tortoises should live only inside. Keeping them inside allows for better monitoring and protection.
Adults
Due to their large size, an adult leopard tortoise needs an outdoor enclosure for the warm parts of the year. Ideally, owners will live in a climate where the tortoises may live outside year-round. In environments where this isn’t possible, suitable indoor enclosures can be made.
An outdoor enclosure should be at least 10 by 10 ft (3 by 3 m), but larger is better.
The enclosure wall should comprise wood, cement, or other hard, solid material. The walls should not be see-through. They should be heavy enough that tortoises and predators cannot break through them.
Walls should be at least 18 in (45.7 cm) high to prevent predators from entering the enclosure. Unlike some species, leopard tortoises are not good at escaping. They will not try to climb over or burrow under the wall.
Overwintering indoor enclosures would ideally be similar in size. Yet, they may be smaller since they are temporary. At the smallest, indoor enclosures should be 6 by 4 ft (1.8 by 1.2 m) with an 18 in (45.7 cm) wall.
Heated garages and sheds are excellent for tortoises. Where this isn’t workable, caretakers can set up tortoise tables.
Some caretakers only keep their tortoises indoors overnight or during bad weather. In these cases, their usual tortoise house is fine. The house should be insulated, and the door shut to keep them inside. The house should also have safe heat lamps to keep the tortoise warm.
Temperature & Lighting
In the wild, leopard tortoises are used to warm and hot temperatures. In captivity, this climate needs to be replicated.
Indoors, tortoises should receive a basking spot maintained at around 95°F (35°C). A heat lamp and UVB bulb are necessary to keep the tortoise comfortable and healthy.
The rest of the enclosure should have an ambient temperature gradient between 75 and 90°F (23.9-32.2°C).
UVB Bulbs Prevent MBD
UVB bulbs help tortoises maintain healthy shells and bones. The rays allow them to absorb vitamin D3 to absorb calcium. Without a UVB bulb, tortoises develop metabolic bone disease (MBD). MBD is a painful and sometimes fatal disease that is entirely preventable.
Many UVB bulbs produce heat and light, so they are a good option for daytime heat. Caretakers may need ceramic heaters for extra heating at night or during the day. Infrared “pig blankets” are another excellent choice for keeping tortoises comfortable over winter.
When Should Tortoises Be Brought Inside?
Outside, tortoises can handle a broader range of temperatures.
Bring tortoises inside to sleep when overnight temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C). Bring them inside permanently once the temperature drops below 70°F (21.1°C) during the day.
Leopard Tortoise Humidity
These tortoises do best with a humidity level between 40 and 60% during the day. These humidity levels are usually easy to maintain in natural outdoor enclosures.
At night, they do better with humidity levels around 70 to 80%. It’s simple to raise nighttime humidity levels by misting their substrate before bed.
Leopard Tortoise Substrate
Some of the enclosure should be flat to allow easy walking. Flat terrain also gives the tortoise a place to dig, which is necessary to lay eggs. A few small hills within their area are good for exercise and better basking.
Indoors
Some caretakers only keep their tortoises indoors overnight or during bad weather. In these cases, newspaper works fine as a substrate. Tortoises kept inside over winter need a more substantial substrate. Grass clippings or peat moss work well. Natural potting soil without chemicals can be used, too.
Decorations
Tortoises should have access to an insulated house. The house shelters them from the elements, like the cold and rain. The rest of the enclosure should have a variety of shrubs, bushes, and grasses for the tortoise to peruse. Caretakers should plant grass or alfalfa to give the tortoise unlimited food.
Tank Mates
Males can become territorial, particularly during the breeding season. Multiple tortoises can be kept together, but caretakers should only house one male. Many females are okay.
Handling
Leopard tortoises are shy animals that often hide in their shells when approached. They do not like being touched, so keep handling to a minimum.
Over time, these tortoises usually begin to trust their caretakers and may form a bond with them. They often come to their caretakers and take food from them when they see them.
What Do Leopard Tortoises Eat In Captivity?
In the wild, leopard tortoises primarily eat vegetation. So, caretakers should replicate this diet as best they can. They are grazers, so caretakers can plant grass or alfalfa in their enclosure for easy access.
Their diet needs to be rich in fiber and calcium. So, they should get some fruits and veggies.
Leopard tortoise food (grasses, flowers, and greens) that is safe includes:
- Collard greens
- Turnip greens
- Mustard greens
- Dandelion greens & flowers
- Hibiscus leaves & flowers
- Grape leaves
- Escarole
- Mulberry tree leaves
- Spineless cactus pads (Opuntia spp.)
* Avoid spinach, swiss chard, beet greens, and other greens high in oxalates. Oxalates bind calcium in their food and make it difficult for tortoises to maintain the calcium levels they need. *
Leopard tortoise food (veggies) that is safe includes:
- Carrots
- Zucchini
- Butternut squash
- Pumpkin
- Mushrooms
- Sweet potato
- Yellow squash
- Bell peppers
Leopard tortoise food (fruits ) that is safe includes:
- Tomatoes
- Apples
- Papayas
- Cantaloupe
- Honeydew
- Watermelon
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Grapes
- Mangoes
- Bananas
* Fruits should make up no more than 5% of a leopard tortoise’s diet. *
Commercial tortoise pellets can also make up a small part of a tortoise’s diet. They will provide extra nutrients good for the animal. Still, the majority of their diet should comprise vegetation.
* NEVER feed dog food, cat food, or other animal proteins. It is extremely rare for leopard tortoises to eat these foods in the wild. Regular feeding of animal proteins can damage their kidneys. *
Supplemental Food
Tortoises living inside need extra nutrients to keep them healthy. It’s good to sprinkle their food with calcium and vitamin D3 supplements. The supplements will make up for any lack of sunlight.
Caretakers can provide them with cuttlebones to chew on, which are rich in calcium. Cuttlebones are available in the bird section of most pet stores.
Due to a lack of natural grasses, provide indoor tortoises with hay or alfalfa. These foods are great for fiber.
How Often Do Leopard Tortoises Need To Eat?
Hatchlings need to eat every day. Their food should be sprinkled with calcium supplements several times a week.
Adults only need to be eat three to four times a week. Calcium and vitamin D supplements are not usually necessary. Still, supplements may be necessary for some individuals. To be safe, calcium can be sprinkled on their food a few times a month.
Water
Leopard tortoises need continuous access to a water dish. Ensure the water dish is not too deep that the animal may get stuck inside it. The dish should be cleaned every day because tortoises are dirty.
Soak hatchlings in tubs of warm water once or twice a week. Ensure the water is shallow, and always supervise them so they don’t drown. Replace this water immediately. Hatchlings are prone to pooping in their soaking water.
Leopard Tortoise Diseases
Unfortunately, tortoises are prone to certain conditions. Caretakers should always track their behavior for signs of ill health.
Respiratory Problems
Respiratory issues are common in tortoises kept in sub-par conditions. They can also occur if a tortoise gets too cold.
Usually, respiratory problems can be corrected by raising the temperature. Higher temperatures may not be enough if the illness wasn’t caught soon enough.
More severe problems may need veterinary intervention and can develop into pneumonia.
Symptoms of respiratory issues include:
- Trouble breathing
- Open-mouth breathing
- Nasal discharge
- Lethargy
- Swollen eyes
- Decreased appetite
Metabolic Bone Disease
Metabolic bone disease (MBD) causes painful deformities due to an imbalance in nutrition. Tortoises need the correct balance of calcium, vitamin D3, and phosphorus. They develop deformities when they don’t get enough of these nutrients in their diet. MBD also develops when they don’t have access to the sun or a UVB bulb.
Symptoms of metabolic bone disease include:
- Limping
- Hard lumps on the legs, jaw, or spinal column
- Bowed legs
- Softening of the lower jaw and abnormal flexibility
- Lack of appetite
- Trouble lifting themselves off the ground
- Pyramiding of the scutes
Severe symptoms include:
- Lethargy
- Depression
- Tremors/twitching
- Weakness in the hind end
- Seizures
- Death
Metabolic bone disease is almost always treatable, especially if caught early. Death is rare but can occur if caretakers don’t get their tortoises treated soon enough. Sometimes, severe deformities may be permanent.
Leopard Tortoise Care, In A Nutshell
Consult this leopard tortoise care sheet for quick care tips:
| Leopard Tortoise Care | |
| Enclosure Size | 10 by 10 ft (3 by 3 m) or larger |
| Temperature | Daytime Temperature — 75 and 90°F (23.9-32.2°C)Basking Temperature — 95°F (35°C)Bring Inside at Night — Under 50°F (10°C) Bring Inside for Winter — Under 70°F (21.1°C) Daytime Temperatures |
| Lighting | Heat lamp UVB lamp Natural sunlight when possible |
| Decorations | Rocks Caves Vegetation Turtle hides |
| Tank Mates | Tank mates are okay — only keep one male per enclosure |
| Diet | Herbivorous — Mostly grasses and flowering plants |
| Handling | Minimal to No Handling |
FAQs
Most turtles and tortoises are diurnal, not nocturnal, meaning they are inactive overnight. More specifically, tortoises are usually crepuscular. They are most active during dawn and twilight when the temperatures are cooler but not too cold.
Tortoises see surprisingly well in the dark, despite not being nocturnal. They have far more rods in their eyes than humans, and most other animals do. So, they can see in the dark far better than many other animals. Their night vision is almost as good as it is during the daytime.
Tortoises are exceptionally long sleepers, though some species sleep longer than others. Adult tortoises often sleep somewhere between 12 and 18 hours a day. Growing baby tortoises need even more sleep, usually sleeping between 19 and 22 hours of the day.
Yes, tortoises drink water, although they don’t drink as much as turtles and other animals. Tortoises typically live in dry climates where fresh water isn’t always available. So, they get most of their water from the vegetation they eat. Still, tortoises will drink fresh water when it’s available. A clean dish of water should always be available for pet turtles.
The smallest tortoise species that can be kept as a pet is the Egyptian tortoise. These tortoises are also known as the Kleinmann’s tortoise.
Females can reach up to 5 in (12.7 cm) and 14.1 oz (400 g). The males are smaller, reaching only 4 in (10.2 cm) and 3.7 oz (105 g).
It’s legal to keep these tortoises as pets. Yet, their species is “critically endangered.” It’s tough to find them, both in the wild and in captivity.
It’s imperative that buyers research any breeders they plan to buy from. Breeders should take exceptional care of their animals. Ensure their operations are legal.
Buying from a breeder out of the country can be dangerous. The paperwork needs to be exactly right. The tortoise may be confiscated if a mistake is made. Even if the record issues are an accident, the buyer may face hefty fines and, possibly, jail time.
Also, because these tortoises are incredibly rare, they are expensive.
Finding captive-bred leopard tortoises from local and online breeders is fairly easy.
In the United States, it’s not possible to get wild-caught leopard tortoises anymore. The practice was banned in 2000. There were concerns about a wild-caught individual found with a tick. The tick had heartworm disease, and officials didn’t want it to spread.
It’s best to buy a tortoise from a local breeder when possible. Buying locally allows the buyer to check the animal for health issues before buying. Many reputable online breeders exist if no local breeders are available. Always research breeders before purchasing from them.
Tortoises can and do bite, although they rarely do so maliciously. Usually, biting occurs during feeding. Caretakers let their hands get too close to the tortoise’s mouth, and they take a bite. Sometimes, new tortoises may bite fingers to test them because they aren’t sure if they’re food.
Tortoises may bite if they feel threatened, though this is rare. Most frightened tortoises will retreat into their shells. Still, if they think they have no other option, they will bite to defend themselves.
