Caring for a Snapper

Deep Sea Cleaning

Giving thanks today. How about you?

Lapis Lady

A treat from a museum in Mexico, carved from lapis lazuli (the funnest words around!):

Love the little babies all over her!

Playground Fun

Sit on this sleek fella!

Looks Like Turtle Soup

Cruiser Chases Down an Old Cruiser

Healing Vibes for Colonel Meow

Feline World Leader Col. Meow has taken ill and all terps are required to slow down and meditate on well wishes for our feline commander-in-chief.

Visit Colonel Meow and wish him well.

Lazing on a Log

5 Minute Montage of Turtle Fun

The Best Cakes - Ever!

Brahma Beer Turtle Star

My Cousin: The Leopard Tortoise

 The Leopard tortoise is a large and attractively marked tortoise found in the savannas of eastern and southern Africa, from Sudan to the southern Cape. This chelonian is a grazing species of tortoise that favors semi-arid, thorny to grassland habitats, although some leopard tortoises have been found in rainier areas. In both very hot and very cold weather they may dwell in abandoned fox, jackal, or anteater holes. Leopard tortoises do not dig other than to make nests in which to lay eggs. It grazes extensively upon mixed grasses as well as succulents and thistles, and (in captivity) the fruit and pads of the prickly pear cactus. The African Leopard Tortoise typically lives 80 to 100 years.

The leopard tortoise is the fourth largest species of tortoise in the world, with typical adults reaching 18-inch and weighing 40-pound An adult's maximum shell length can reach 24-inches in diameter. The giant Ethiopian form might reach 39-in in rare cases. Also, in much rarer cases in countries such as Sudan with their high humidity rainforests this type of tortoise can reach up to lengths of 45 inches.

All tucked in!

It is a large and attractively marked tortoise. The carapace is high and domed, and pyramid shaped scutes are not uncommon. The skin and background color is cream to yellow, and the carapace is marked with black blotches, spots or even dashes or stripes. Each individual is marked uniquely.


Leopard tortoises are herbivorous. They are more defensive than offensive, retracting feet and head into their shell for protection. This often results in a hissing sound, probably due to the squeezing of air from the lungs as the limbs and head are retracted.


This is the most widely distributed tortoise in Southern Africa. Leopard tortoises are increasingly being bred in captivity. This is a positive development, as it should lead to a gradual reduction in demand for animals caught in the wild.

Winky's Wheels

Corn Dog

On Yer Marks, Get Set.... Slow!