Pancake Tortoise

Malacochersus tornieri

Range

• Central Africa

Habitat

• Rocky grasslands

Diet

• Grass
• Fruit

This small, flat tortoise does not withdraw into its shell when disturbed; it seeks the nearest rocky outcropping.

Wedging itself firmly into a narrow crevice, it takes a deep breath and expands to tightly fit into its sanctuary. Although they reproduce slowly, laying only one egg each time, they can lay several eggs over the laying season. Zoological breeding programs help to bolster their numbers.