Leopard tortoise
Stigmochelys pardalis
We are home to three female leopard tortoises: Shelly, Lancelot and Daisy.
You can find them inside the pygmy hippo house.
Population
Unknown
Diet
Herbivore
Habitat
Desert
Fact file
A leopard tortoise’s day is mostly taken up with eating and resting
They can float and swim due to the sizeable lung space in their large, domed shell
Their back legs are trunk-like and their front legs are paddle-shaped enabling them to move very fast over rocky terrain
How we're helping
Like all the animals in our care Daisy, Lancelot and Shelly are amazing ambassadors for their relatives in the wild and help hundreds of thousands of people connect with nature every year. They encourage visitors to learn about the threats facing wildlife and the action they can take to help create a world where nature is protected, valued and loved.
As a wildlife conservation charity, we care for the animals here at the zoo and work to protect species at risk around the world. From providing expertise in genetics and veterinary health, to protecting wild places with local conservation partners, and even restoring threatened species to the wild, we are active where we are needed most.
Find out more about RZSS conservation