Land Tortoises ( Family Testudinidae)

 
Leopard Tortoise Geochelone pardalis
Leopard Tortoise Leopard Tortoise - Photo by Maik Dobiey Geochelone pardalis - Photo by Maik Dobiey
A relatively big tortoise which has a domed shell. They can grow to about 2 feet in length and have a long neck that sticks quite far out. This is the tortoise more commonly seen in Kenya’s national parks.
 
Bell’s Hinged Tortoise Kinixys belliana
 Kinixys belliana - Bell's Hinged Tortoise Bell's Hinged Tortoise
 
Speke’s Hinged Tortoise Kinixys spekii
Kinixys spekii - Photo by Maik Dobiey
A small tortoise which has a longer looking shell than the typical Leopard Tortoise. They only grow to about 9 inches in length and have a hinge in the shell that allows the tortoise to close the back part of its shell protecting the back legs from predators. They seem to prefer a diet that includes more fruit and carrion than the Leopard Tortoise.
 
Pancake Tortoise Malacochersus tornieri  
   Malacochersus tornieri   Pancake Tortoise

Back to Top