(African) Pancake Tortoise Malacochersus tornieri

The African Pancake Tortoise is named after its relatively flexible, flatish shell and flat body profile which allows it to fit into narrow rock crevices in its native East Africa. It can move faster than most tortoises and will prefer to run to the protection of a crevice than to withdraw into the shell, where possible.

The shell markings of the juveniles, above, are bold starlike patterns. Adults can grow to some 20cm length.

The markings fade with age. The Pancake Tortoise is threatened by habitat destruction and over-collection for the pet trade.