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African Pancake Tortoise — printable fact sheet
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African Pancake Tortoise
Malacochersus tornieri
The African Pancake Tortoise is a unique species of tortoise known for its exceptionally flat, flexible shell, which allows it to squeeze into narrow crevices in rocky outcrops. Native to East Africa, particularly in Kenya and Tanzania, this tortoise is adapted to arid, rocky en…
Did you know?
- Unlike almost all other tortoise species, the African Pancake Tortoise's shell is soft and flexible, allowing it to quickly slip into rock crevices, making it very difficult for predators to extract.
- The African Pancake Tortoise can climb surprisingly well for its size, using its flexible shell to maneuver through tight spaces. Unlike most tortoises, it relies more on speed and agility than on a hard shell for defense. Its shell is structurally unique among tortoises, consisting of thin, lightweight bones and numerous open spaces.
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Draw the african pancake tortoise
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