Pancake tortoises are known for their flat carapace (top shell) which is brown and enables them to camouflage well. Pancake tortoises live in small colonies and the males will sometimes fight each other during mating season. The pancake tortoises' shells are not great protectors for them, however they are faster then other tortoises and because of their flat shell can hide in small crevices and rocks. Females lay one egg but can lay eggs multiple times during their mating season. The eggs will hatch within 4 to 6 months. The pancake tortoise is mainly active in the morning, late afternoon and early evening.