Leopard ID

[Fernando]

I saw this picture in the Fife website. What type of Leo's are these? Are they Gpb?

They look very light and the dots on the scutes are very big from others I've seen.

 

[Laura]

it didnt say on his website?

 

[Fernando]

No it just says Hatchling leopard totoise near Bloemfontein South Africa.

 

[TortieLuver]

Hard to see the one on the left with the dirt, but the others look pb.

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

Neat picture, they look great!

 

[Neal]

You should shoot him an email about these tortoises. I wonder what info he would tell you.

In general terms, I would guess Gpp, but given where they were photographed they are likely a South African variety of leopards of some type, but the specifics would get technical. They don't seem like any we see here though.

 

[Fernando]

You should shoot him an email about these tortoises. I wonder what info he would tell you.

In general terms, I would guess Gpp, but given where they were photographed they are likely a South African variety of leopards of some type, but the specifics would get technical. They don't seem like any we see here though.

That's exactly why I posted the picture. They caught my eye...big dots and brighter color then ones we see here. Or at least I've seen. I'll see if I can get his email and ask. The photo was taken in 2005.

 

[Neal]

That's exactly why I posted the picture. They caught my eye...big dots and brighter color then ones we see here. Or at least I've seen. I'll see if I can get his email and ask. The photo was taken in 2005.

You can contact him through his web site. www.ivorytortoise.com

He's a nice guy, I'm sure he would be happy to tell you about them, if he has much info on those ones. And we'd like to hear what he says too.

 

[TortieLuver]

I am interested too. Yes, please let us know. I have seen dots that big, in fact I have some hatchlings produced that have been large dots.

 

[Fernando]

I checked my email today.

That picture was taken in Bloemfontein South Africa, which is just barely in the leopard tortoises range (it is generally considered to be too cold for Leopard tortoises just east of Bloemfontein).  Bloemfontein is just barely inside the range, which is generally determined to be S. p. pardalis (just to the north is babcocki).  I also found adult leopards in Bloemfontein, which were about 18 to 20 inches.
 
Actually recent DNA work has suggested that there are no leopard tortoise subspecies (they included the giant Ethiopian leopard tortoise in their study).  I have attached a picture of a 28-inch leopard tortoise, which I found in Ethiopia about 6-weeks ago (there are reports of 39-inch leopard tortoises in Ethiopia).  If the subspecies are valid then the S. p. babcocki found in Ethiopian is the largest race of leopard tortoise. Reptiles Magazine will be coming out with an article on my Leopard tortoise expedition to Ethiopia.
 
Richard

 

[Neal]

I'm curious as to whether these were captive or if he found these in the wild. Either way, it sounds like they are native to the area. Is the picture he attached the same one posted on Kingsnake?

Can't wait to read that article. Seeing a 39 inch leopard tortoise will be added to my bucket list.

 

[Kristina]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!! Post the picture! lol

 

[onarock]

Great info Fernando, thanks for that. Those are some different looking little tortoises there.

A 39" leopard tortoise? Wow! I have a field study link where the author talks about the Ethiopians getting Much larger than the SA and that they rival Sulcatas, but 39".... thats a big leopard.

 

[Jacob]

Awesome!

 

[Yvonne G]

I think its interesting to note that you can still see the egg tooth on that little guy on the left. Here he is a brand new baby, yet he's covered in dirt. Maybe we should take note and stop keeping ours so clean.

 

[Neal]

I think its interesting to note that you can still see the egg tooth on that little guy on the left. Here he is a brand new baby, yet he's covered in dirt. Maybe we should take note and stop keeping ours so clean.

Good eye!

 

[Fernando]

I'm curious as to whether these were captive or if he found these in the wild. Either way, it sounds like they are native to the area. Is the picture he attached the same one posted on Kingsnake?

Can't wait to read that article. Seeing a 39 inch leopard tortoise will be added to my bucket list.

If you want I can ask him some additional questions. Im not sure if its the same photos but he's holding a huge Leo vertically.

---

Great info Fernando, thanks for that. Those are some different looking little tortoises there.

A 39" leopard tortoise? Wow! I have a field study link where the author talks about the Ethiopians getting Much larger than the SA and that they rival Sulcatas, but 39".... thats a big leopard.

For sure. These little guys just caught my attention I just had to ask. The normal big Sulcatas here reported are 36 inch?

Typing from my Android

 

[onarock]

I think the biggest sulcatas on reported here are around 31"-32". I was on the Big Island Wednesday and saw 2 sulcatas that were 175lb and 32".