About:
Did you know African pancake tortoises are excellent climbers, and can easily climb fences? Learn more about African pancake tortoises.
Care & Wellness:
These tortoises are much smaller than what people often think of when they hear the word “tortoise”. We have both males and females, and you might see many social interactions on your visit. Males may chase males, they could pursue females for breeding, or you might catch them hanging out by the pool or in a shaded spot. If you’re really lucky, you might even see nesting or egg laying!
Behavior:
- Unusual among tortoises because they are often found together in groups
- Run for cover when threatened instead of pulling into shell
- Usually only active for short time in morning and late afternoon
Endangered Status
- Extinct in Wild (EW)
- Critically Endangered (CR)
- Endangered (EN)
- Vulnerable (VU)
- Near Threatened (NT)
- Least Concern (LC)
- Not Evaluated (NE)
Fun Facts:
- Excellent climbers; they easily climb fences.
- Openings in the bones of its shell make it lighter and more flexible than other tortoises.
- Their light shell make them the fastest tortoise.
