Pancake Tortoise

These small tortoises with flat shells inhabit regions of eastern africa particularly kenya and tanzania.
Pancake tortoise. The pancake tortoise malacochersus tornieri is found in rocky scrub in southern kenya and northern and eastern tanzania its name comes from the shape of its shell which is flattened and flexible. Pancake tortoise questions and answers. Kenya and tanzania africa description. The name comes from the animal s thin flat shell.
Malacocherus tornieri current size. 3 average adult size. Its common name refers to the flat shape of its shell etymology. A baby pancake tortoise is the size of a 50 pence piece.
True to their name pancake tortoises are a very flat tortoise designed to fit into the narrow crevices that they live in naturally with a small adult size these pretty tortoises have radiating patterns on. How long do they live. Up to the thirty five years but they have been known to live longer. They inhabit rocky outcrops called kopjes or rocky hills in arid thorn scrub and savannah regions.
They can grow 15 17cm 6 7 inches long and up to 2 5cm 1 inch tall. These habitats are generally 30 to 1 800 meters 100 to 6 000 feet above sea level. Both the specific name tornieri and an alternate common name tornier s. 6 7 area of origin.
The species is native to tanzania and kenya. African pancake tortoises are native to east africa and are found in kenya tanzania and zimbabwe. The pancake tortoise malacochersus tornieri is a species of flat shelled tortoise in the family testudinidae. Unlike most tortoises which pull their limbs into their shell when threatened the pancake runs for cover.
Their shell is unusually thin flat and flexible helping make the pancake tortoise the fastest tortoise species. Pancake tortoise scientific name. The pancake tortoise is the oddest and the most interesting of the chelonians. African pancake tortoise care sheet.
These tortoises are excellent climbers and do not withdraw into their shells when threatened by predators.