
This tortoise, known locally as the leopard or mountain tortoise, has the Latin name Stigmochelys pardalis. This comes from the Greek words stigma (marked), chelone (tortoise) and pardalis (spotted). Tortoises are reputed to be slow and meditative, but leopard tortoises can move quite fast, climb a little and even float in water. They are combative in mating season, with males ramming and overturning one another and butting females into submission. Anyone who has seen leopard tortoises mating will learn something about stamina.