OuiSi Nature card 191: Leopard Tortoise. Photograph by Melissa Groo The whole photograph behind card 191: Leopard Tortoise. Photograph by Melissa Groo

OuiSi Nature · Card 191

Leopard Tortoise

Stigmochelys pardalis

Location
Ndutu, Tanzania
Date
January 31, 2017
Photograph byMelissa Groo

Description

This beautiful signature animal, the leopard tortoise, gets its name from the distinct markings on its large shell echoing that of a large cat. It is Africa's most widely distributed tortoise, found from Sudan south to South Africa's Cape Province. It spends most of its waking hours grazing on grasses, and is most active early in the morning and just before sunset, sheltering in the heat of the day.

Melissa Groo

The photographer

Melissa Groo

Wildlife conservation photographer, writer, educator, and wildlife warrior.

Learn more about Melissa Groo

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OuiSi Nature card 191: Leopard Tortoise. Photograph by Melissa Groo The whole photograph behind card 191: Leopard Tortoise. Photograph by Melissa Groo

Leopard Tortoise

Photograph by Melissa Groo