Eswatini: Hlane NP – Leopard Tortoises

The heavy rains overnight brought out dozens of leopard tortoise onto the dirt roads at Hlane Royal NP. The Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis) is a large and distinctive land tortoise species, quite unique and rare and we we super lucky to see so many of them – of different sizes and ages. It is named for the black and yellow patterns on its shell, resembling the spots of a leopard. Leopard tortoises are herbivorous, feeding on grasses, succulents, and fallen fruits. They are diurnal, active during the day, especially in the cooler parts of the morning and late afternoon, as well as in the moist environment after the rain.