Leopard Tortoise
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[Photo] Geochelone pardalis, de: Pantherschildkr??te en: leopard tortoise fr: Tortue l??opard. Zoo d'Amn??ville, Lorraine, France. le 12/08/2005. Auteur: Lionel Rich http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Lionelr

The Leopard tortoise (Geochelone pardalis) is a large, grazing species of tortoise that favors semi-arid (not dry), thorny to grassland habitats. On average, they are about 40???45 cm (16-18 inches) long and weigh 18???23 kg (40-50 pounds) (although some reach up to 60 cm (24 inches) and 32 kg (70 lbs)). They generally have a life span of 50 years. This reptile is brown and yellow. Most are a bit darker than that of the accompanying Figure -- that tortoise would be considered to be a "snow tortoise" due to its blonde coloring (a desirable trait). This is one of the few tortoises that will "swim". Truly it will run along the bottom of a shallow area.

This tortoise is found in the west of Africa from Sudan to South Africa.

This is an excellent tortoise for a beginner in tortoise care. They grow (relatively) rapidly, they are social, and require little care. They should be bathed once a day, require adequate calcium intake, adequate UV light and heat. They thrive outdoors in warm climates.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopard_Tortoise

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