Pancake tortoise
Key Facts:
Scientific name: Malacochersus tornieri
Range: East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia)
Habitat: Savannah, grassland, shrubland, rocky areas
Diet: Omnivore – Leaves, succulents, grasses, seeds, nuts and occasionally insects
Average Size: 7 inches
Lifespan: 30+ years
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
African pancake tortoises are a type of small, yet agile reptile normally weighing no more than 500g. This species of tortoise can be found in rock crevice microhabitats (small habitats) within Kenya, Tanzania and a small amount of Zambia.
This species is unique because they rely on speed and agility to run from their predators towards the safety of nearby rocky outcrops
African pancake tortoise have a thin, pliable shell that allows them to squeeze into tight rock crevices to protect themselves from predators, unlike the more dome-shaped, hard carapaces (upper shells) that can be found on other species of tortoise
African pancake tortoises get most of their water requirements from eating liquid-rich plants like succulents in their largely dry, rocky habitats, making them well-adapted to their savannah-based surroundings
This species, like other tortoises, are precocial as soon as they hatch from their egg (they’re immediately independent from their parents) and are heavily reliant on their instinct
African pancake tortoises exist within many protected national parks, one of which being the Serengeti National Park. These locations are very important for the wildlife living within them and are thoroughly protected, but despite this it’s thought that only 22.6% of pancake tortoise range is protected
African pancake tortoises are Critically Endangered according to the IUCN Red List, meaning they are at a very substantial risk of extinction. This is due to:
International pet trade: Pancake tortoises are overexploited for the international pet trade as their rocky habitats are easy to identify and remove individuals from. With remaining individuals not travelling very far, this lowers the likelihood of pancake tortoises re-occupying distant, yet previously occupied areas
Construction: The extraction of various building materials within pancake tortoise range is reducing available habitat for these rock-dwelling reptiles. Slab and basalt extraction in particular is causing habitat destruction within the pancake tortoises’ range, reducing the amount of suitable habitat they have access to
Slash and burn cultivation: Slash and burn is a popular method of food and material growing whereby trees are removed and any unwanted vegetation is burned to make space for growing other more desirable crops for humans. However, the removal of plants important for tortoise survival is a consequence of this process, limiting the food supply for nearby pancake tortoises
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What we're doing...
African pancake tortoises are part of an EAZA ex-situ programme - a populatiohn management programme that works closely with other zoos across Europe to create healthy populations to support wild counterparts. In addition, African pancake tortoises require specific conditions to stay healthy and our team of expert keepers are on hand to replicate these conditions to ensure their protection and survival. -
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How you can help?
When buying animals to care for, ensure you’re not supporting the purchase of illegally sourced animals by thoroughly researching the species before you buy them. Animals should only be acquired from a reputable seller who can demonstrate the correct documentation to their buyers. This will help to conserve African pancake tortoises and help to stabilise in-situ (wild) population numbers
