In Touch With Nature – Leopard Tortoise, one of the Small Five #Africanwildlife #leopardtortoise
Posted: September 24, 2025 Filed under: Africa, Animals, In Touch With Nature, Nature, Poetry, Wildlife | Tags: In Touch With Nature, Leopard Tortoise, Robbie Cheadle, South Africa, Wildlife, Writing to be Read 23 Comments
This month, I am featuring the leopard tortoises. One of the small five African animals, along with the elephant shrew, ant lion, rhinoceros beetle, and buffalo weaver.
Leopard Tortoise
One of the ‘small five’
whose names relate to the big five
the leopard tortoise
with its distinctive patterned shell
is a signature animal
of the African savannah.
Lacking a nuchal shield
this tortoise is the only member of its family
that can raise its head
and is thus, the only tortoise
that can swim. It can also stay under water
for up to ten minutes.
It’s sex is determined by
the temperature at which
the egg is incubated. Amazing!
And, this incredible creature
can climb. It uses its strong toenails
to manoeuvre over rocky terrain.
Living up to one hundred years
you can tell its age by counting
the scutes or ridges on its shell
just like counting rings on a tree.
If you find one in South Africa
you may not keep it without a permit
as they are a protected species.
Should you manage to get a permit
do not hibernate it in the refrigerator
as leopard tortoises do not hibernate
but rather enter a state of reduced activity
called brumation which is similar
to deep sleep. They require supplemental
heating during the winter months
as they are not adapted to cold.
my video of a leopard tortoise that came into the lodge grounds.
About Roberta Eaton Cheadle
Roberta Eaton Cheadle, is a South African writer and poet specialising in historical, paranormal, and horror novels and short stories. She is an avid reader in these genres and her writing has been influenced by famous authors including Bram Stoker, Edgar Allan Poe, Amor Towles, Stephen Crane, Enrich Maria Remarque, George Orwell, Stephen King, and Colleen McCullough.
Roberta has two published novels and a collection of short stories and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories included in several anthologies. She is also a contributor to the Ask the Authors 2022 (WordCrafter Writing Reference series).
Roberta is also the author and illustrator of seventeen children’s books, illustrator to a further three children’s books, and the author and illustrator of four poetry books published under the name of Robbie Cheadle, and has poems and short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.
Roberta’s blog features discussions about classic books, book reviews, poetry, and photography. https://roberta-writes.com/.
Find Roberta Eaton Cheadle
Blog: https://wordpress.com/view/robertawrites235681907.wordpress.com
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/robbiecheadle.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertawrites
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Roberta-Eaton-Cheadle/e/B08RSNJQZ5
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This segment of “In Touch with Nature” is sponsored by the Midnight Anthology Series and WordCrafter Press.
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What a fascinating little tortoise.
Imagine, its sex being determined by temperature 🤗 wow.
Really wonderful Robbie.
Thank you so much for sharing.
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Hi Maggie, so many creatures have interesting quirks about them. It’s truly fascinating.
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Hi Robbie
Yes, I agree 🤗
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🙂
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I appreciate you sharing the animals from your region, Robbie. It makes me feel as though I am meeting distant relations!!
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Hi Annette, I’m pleased to know that. I enjoy these tortoises 💕
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Fascinating information, Robbie, about a very talented type of tortoise. Thank you!
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My pleasure, Dave. I’ve always enjoyed these little guys.
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What a wonderfully informative and engaging piece! 🌿🐢 I love how you’ve combined fascinating facts about the leopard tortoise with a poetic, easy-to-read style. The details about its swimming ability, temperature-based sex determination, climbing skills, and brumation are both surprising and captivating.
Your writing makes the African savannah come alive and invites readers to appreciate this incredible creature while understanding the importance of protecting it. Truly a delightful and educational read! ✨🌍
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Wow, Robbie!! Imagine the tortoise’s sex being determined by temperature! The poor things wouldn’t know what to do in Michigan! A beautiful tortoise, whose shell is memorable!
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Hi Colleen, these are beautiful tortoises. It is funny about the sex being determined by temperature. These could not survive in Michigan, it would be too cold.
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Our summers are pretty warm. But, most of the year wouldn’t be warm enough, I’m sure.
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No, you get snow. These tortoises live in warmer climates with no snow.
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absolutely fascinating, Robbie; I knew none of this; thanks for bringing this amazing animal to our attention 🙂
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I’m glad you enjoyed meeting the leopard tortoise, John.
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What a beautiful shell! It can swim, climb, and live to be 100. I didn’t know about the small five, so thank you for that.
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Hi Jennie, the small five are very interesting. For me, as interesting as the big five. They are harder to see too.
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I hope you post on the rest of the small five.
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I am sure I will in due course. I must also post about the Ugly Five.
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Ooo…the Ugly Five!
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Haha, yes, indeed. They are my favourite of our wonderful animals.
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😀
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