NEWS102
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LeopardTortoises fromCapeProvince, traditionally termed
Stigmochelyspardalis
pardalis.
Photo:ChristophFritz,www.reptilia24.com
It is unknownwhy the Leopard Tortoises
fromZambia remain so small,but there is
an interesting theory on the subject.
Leopard Tortoises, like many other
tortoises, are eaten by humans. And the
population inZambia issupposedlyunder
serious pressure from hunting.Obviously,
larger specimens are much more
desirable as food than small ones, and
thus more likely to fall victim to the
hunters than smaller conspecifics. The
theory postulates that hunting pressure
by Man has led to involuntary genetic
selection among Leopard Tortoises in
Zambia, as only the small-growing
specimens survive to breed. As already
mentioned, this is just a hypothesis and
unproven,but it soundsquiteplausible.
Thenatural habitat
The Leopard Tortoise is an inhabitant of
open terrain. Although its biotopes may
appear quitedifferent in their details, as a
rule theycanneverthelessbedescribedas
savannah landscape characterized by
stands of scrub and trees. Leopard
Tortoises are very tolerant of drought.
They can survive for months without
drinking water, an ability made possible
by the special structure of the gut,which
permitsalmostcompleteutilizationofany
water contained in the food.But although
some Leopard Tortoises live in bone-dry
areas in the wild, there are also
populations that have constant access to
freshwater and can alsomake significant
useof it.
The Leopard Tortoise is also flexible as
regards altitude. Somepopulations live in
mountainous regions and are also known
as “Mountain Tortoises” among the local
people, although some etymologists like
to explain this popular name as
“mountain” referring to the high-vaulted
carapaceof the species.
The importanceof the latter isagain tobe
found in the habitat of these tortoises,
which they sharewith the famedherds of
big game in Africa. On the one hand the
form of the armor, alongwith the “hump
formation”of the dorsal plates frequently
Stigmochelyspardalis
areveryactive tortoises.
Photo:FrankSchäfer
seen in this tortoise species, prevents
injuries from thehooves of thebiggame,
while on the other the shape of the
carapace enables these tortoises to right
themselves if they are overturned onto
their backsby suchanimals.
Maintenance in the terrarium
Obviously maintenance requires space,
even in the case of the Zambian “dwarf
giants”.The terrarium length for long-term
maintenance shouldbeno less thaneight
times carapace length (that is, 2.8m for a
specimen 35 cm in length). Somewhat
larger if several specimens are to be
maintained. For this reason it is usual to
devote awhole room to the tortoise pen
when adult specimens are to be
maintained indoors.This isn’t theplace to
go into thearrangement of suchawhole-
room terrarium in detail; relevant
information canbe found in the specialist
literature. Themost important points are,
however: it must be light, themore light
