Jerry Fife posted a pic of a big Ethiopian Leopard (28")on Kingsnake forums.
Big Ethiopian leopard
- Thread starter yagyujubei
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As in he has one for sale?
Nope, just pic from a recent trip there. I know of a couple of foreign dealers with them, but how to import.
Pictures?
Well then on a related note, when I was in SA I saw what I think was a Gpp at a roadside gas station/diner/convenience store. He was in a big yard with a bunch of chickens and ducks. He was almost black in color, totally smooth and around 30" in diameter without exaggerating. He was close to the same size as the really big sulcatas that we see from time to time, only he was really high domed. I poured a little water on his shell to wash away the grime and the characteristic leopard splotches were very clear and obvious. That was 2005 and it was right after that trip that I finally got a camera and a computer, so sorry, I don't have a pic. The only pics I have from that trip are from other people's cameras. If I ever go back there, I will be making a special trip out there just to get a pic of that tortoise. He was about halfway between Capetown and George, which is about five hours up the east coast. George is about two hours south of Durban.
Here's a link to the pic: http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=1907041,1907041
Wow! The Chupacabra... that's a great pic. I have a study on Giant Tortoises of Africa where the author describes the mean size of the Somaliland Leopards (Ethiopians) as being much larger than the S.African or Cape Leopard's. The study compared the growth rates of Somali Leopards, Sulcatas and Cape Leopards. They found that Somali Leopards rivaled the Sulcata in size but how they got to that size is completely different.
Here is the link: http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=1907041,1907041
Wow, that's a big Leopard. Do they all lose there pattern as they age, or is that more of the wild torts from constant weathering??
I've got a buddy currently in Ethiopia working on one of our school projects. He has direct orders to photograph any and all torts he comes across. I've ot my fingers crossed that he'll get some good shots.
Thats one big baby 
I don't believe any were ever imported to the US. In 2007 a guy in Spain imported, I believe 138 large tortoises. I have heard most did poorly, and did not survive. There's a guy in Germany with some of those imports.Red Earth Exotics said:
Robert said:
That would be fantastic Rob! I hope he sees some.
I have seen pictures only, never any in person. The yare big for sure!
Wow, thanks for sharing that thread. Great picture
is that just the shell? not alive?
I wonder why the larger leopards are found on opposite ends of the range?
What was the history of this animal?Was it caught locally or did the owner capture him while on a trip to Ethiopia,possibly trade a goat for it and have no idea of its origin?What did the owner tell you about this animal Tom?
Tom said:
What was the history of this animal?Was it caught locally or did the owner capture him while on a trip to Ethiopia,possibly trade a goat for it and have no idea of its origin?What did the owner tell you about this animal Tom?
Domkrag aka car jack, the largest recorded gpp from South Africa (died in the 70's) was 656mm (26") and weighed a whopping 60kg (134#)
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