African Pancake Tortoise
Malacochersus tornieri
Did you know?
Their unique soft, flat shell helps them to evade predators by wedging themselves in a crevice. They’re the only member of the genus Malacochersus and are considerably fast for tortoise species.
Home: Kenya; Tanzania.
Diet: Flowers, fruit, grasses, herbs, leaves, seeds.
Lifestyle: Terrestrial, living in colonies amongst rocky outcrops, so-called kopjes, where they’re strong enough to climb to the summits.
Young: Due to the reduced space in the abdominal cavity, females lay 1 egg at a time, usually laying up to 6 per year. Incubation period is between 178 to 237 days.
Lifespan: 26 years.
Conservation Status: Vulnerable. The collection for pet trade is a major threat to the species.
Breeding Programme: This species is a member of EAZA’s European Breeding Programme.
