Tortoises from in and around Addo

[Warren Klein]

We recently took a trip to PE and Addo Elephant National Park. Here are some of the chelonians we encountered along the way.


Adult female Leopard tortoise Stigmochelys pardalis. The Leopards in this area get much bigger than what I am used to seeing in Limpopo.









A beautiful male Angulate tortoise Chersina angulata



Juvenile Leopard crossing the road

I had hoped to get pictures of a Leopard tortoise grazing with elephant in the background.

Unfortunately the elephant were on the opposite side of the road

This was the highlight for me, a nice pair of Angulate tortoises Chersina angulata. Note the more smooth domed shape of the females shell and the enlarged gular sheild of the male.





A happy pair making their retreat into their Spekboom habitat

The unlucky one that became someones lunch

Lastly another pair of Angulates with a Cape girdled lizard in the foreground

[Ruan Stander]

Great photos; that leopard female is huge !
I haven't seen any tortoises in quite some time.

[Bushviper]

I am so glad there are still areas where these old girls can exist and pass on enough genetic material to make sure the really big ones do not become extinct like the pythons have.

[levi_20]

Very cool! I have a soft spot for angulates, very cute tortoises.