Using the ruler function on Google Earth, one can determine the exact distance between two points. Nomtsas and Voigtsgrund, the place where the tortoise originally came from, are 68 km apart. My father received a leopard tortoise as a gift when he was a child. Of course, such things shouldn’t be done, but back then, people didn’t know any better. To ensure that “his” tortoise wouldn’t be confused with those belonging to his siblings, he etched our family crest into its shell.
At some point, however, the reptile managed to escape its enclosure on Nomtsas. Despite living a comfortable life with lettuce, lucerne, and the shade of a Prosopis tree, freedom seemed more enticing than constant pampering.
Many years later, my father received news that “his” tortoise had arrived at Voigtsgrund.
Google provides all kinds of interesting information about leopard tortoises: they can travel up to 50 km, survive for about four weeks without water or food, and live as long as humans—roughly 100 years. Yet my father’s tortoise would have had to make significant detours to cross the steep cliffs of the Nama Escarpment (also known as the Schwarzrand or black ridge) to reach Voigtsgrund. Since there is no open water along the way, such a journey seems almost impossible. Nevertheless, it is a fact that over the years, it likely covered more than 100 km—heading precisely to the spot of its birth.
On Nomtsas, my farm that I cherish and protect like a treasure, we often encounter leopard tortoises. One had such tight growth rings that it was likely older than my grandfather. Even it had no access to open water. Those who know our semi-desert understand that only the occasional leak at a water point offers some relief.
A few weeks ago, we were on a game drive in the Mahango Park in the northeastern Zambezi region when a sudden heavy rain began—likely the first of the year. Water collected on the jeep tracks, the deep sandy double trails. Tortoises, which we rarely see and only after rain, emerged from the bushes. They drank and drank and drank—stretching their long necks out from their massive shells and dipping their heads deep into the water for minutes on end.
I would have loved to know how much water they consumed and how long this reserve lasts. Unfortunately, that remains a mystery. However, I do know that the ability of the leopard tortoise to survive without water and food is greatly underestimated. My own experiences with these true survivalists contradict much of the information found in books and online. It’s clear that these fascinating creatures deserve more respect, protection, and care from us.
Stigmochelys pardalis
The genus name Stigmochelys is derived from the Greek words stigma meaning “marked” and chelone meaning “tortoise.” The specific epithet pardalis comes from the Greek word pardos meaning “spotted,” referring to the tortoise’s spotted shell.
In Namibia, we are blessed with specialists, one of whom is Alfred Schleicher. He is also the author of the wonderful book Reptiles of Namibia. This is how he responded to my questions:
“Good morning, Mr. Voigts.
Land tortoises possess a so-called anal bladder, which provides at least a minimal fluid reserve for dry periods. Additionally, these animals are highly specialized and can survive long periods of drought by significantly reducing their metabolism. However, this doesn’t always succeed!
What fascinates me is that these reptiles, after months of inactivity, can effortlessly set off to drink and start their ‘new’ life cycle again with ease and resilience. We, on the other hand, would face completely different challenges.
Tortoises can endure dry periods for varying lengths of time. Terrapins, for example, can survive up to six years! For land tortoises, it’s significantly less and depends on factors such as size, retreat location, and overall physical condition.
Greetings from Windhoek,
Alfred Schleicher”
At the reception of the Addo Elephant Park lies a massive shell of a leopard tortoise lovingly called “Domkrag,” Afrikaans for “jack.” It used to crawl under safari vehicles and lift them slightly. I wish I could have witnessed that! While leopard tortoises rarely weigh over 40 kg, Domkrag must have been significantly larger and heavier.
Interestingly, leopard tortoises are known to live longer in the wild than in captivity—often over 100 years, whereas in zoos, they only reach about 75 years. Males noisily fight over females, and the sounds of mating are almost shameless. After sogging the soil with urine, to stabilize it, females dig deep holes to lay their eggs. From the warmer eggs, females hatch; from the cooler ones, males.
Starting in May, they burrow deeply to hibernate—I suspect this lasts longer than we currently believe.
Incidentally, the leopard tortoise’s greatest enemy isn’t birds of prey, which occasionally snatch young ones. Once again, it’s humans, who keep them as pets and introduce diseases and pathogens into regions where native tortoises have no immunity against.
Bell’s Hinged Tortoise, Murchison, Uganda
Oh, and speaking of tortoises: on our last trip to Uganda, we spotted a Bell’s Hinged Tortoise. You must imagine this—evolution equipped these otherwise rather clumsy creatures with a hinge in their shell to make them a bit more agile. Incredible! But to be fair, I must admit that even this shell still appears rather rigid. 🙂
Last Updated on 5. December 2024 by Albert Voigts von Schütz
