Pancake tortoise — Care Sheet & Morphs

Husbandry requirements

Pancake tortoise — origin: East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania and northern Zambia. Lives exclusively on the rocky outcrops and boulder piles (kopjes) of arid, scrubby savannas, between 100 and 1800 m of altitude. A PROTECTED SPECIES: listed on CITES Appendix I since 2019 (maximum protection) and classified as 'Critically Endangered' by the IUCN; trade is very strictly regulated. Only acquire captive-bred specimens with legal traceability..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min18 °C

Cool side22–26 °C

Warm side28–32 °C

Basking spot35–38 °C

A heliophilic species of rocky habitat: provide a genuine hot spot from the lamp on a stone slab (35-38 °C) where it warms up in the morning, with a marked thermal gradient down to a cool side. A natural and beneficial night-time drop down to ~15-18 °C; switch off the heat at night. Avoid a permanently hot, stagnant atmosphere.

Enclosure (adult)

120 × 60 × 45 cm

Arid terrestrial tortoise terrarium / tortoise table, geared towards floor surface area and rocky structures rather than height.

The sizing above is a minimum for one adult; bigger is always preferable, and groups require considerably more space. The most important element is a stack of flat stone slabs forming genuine narrow horizontal crevices where the animal can wedge itself and take refuge. Fix the rocks firmly (risk of crushing) and close/cover the enclosure: it is a climber and an escape artist. Good ventilation.

Humidity

30–50 %

An overall dry and well-ventilated atmosphere. Nonetheless maintain a slightly more humid crevice or shelter (microclimate): in the wild, these tortoises occupy fissures that retain moisture. Juveniles are more susceptible to dehydration and benefit from a humid corner and regular baths.

Substrate

A mix of non-peaty soil/topsoil and non-calcareous sand (a dry, draining surface)Flat stone slabs and slate stacked into crevices (key habitat)Grass hay as partial cover for enrichment and feeding

The rocky structure takes precedence over the substrate itself. Avoid pure sand (risk of impaction if ingested) and any dusty or permanently over-humid material. Keep the whole mostly dry with a localised, more humid spot.

UVB

Recommended

Essential: a powerful desert-type UVB source (index ~10-12%, or a T5 HO tube / mercury-vapour lamp depending on the distance), replaced regularly. Without adequate UVB combined with calcium, metabolic bone disease appears rapidly.

Water source

Always available

A small, shallow container of clean water at all times. Offer shallow lukewarm baths (especially to juveniles) several times a week for hydration and gut transit; the animal must always be able to get out without any risk of drowning.

Origin

Testudinidae

East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania and northern Zambia. Lives exclusively on the rocky outcrops and boulder piles (kopjes) of arid, scrubby savannas, between 100 and 1800 m of altitude. A PROTECTED SPECIES: listed on CITES Appendix I since 2019 (maximum protection) and classified as 'Critically Endangered' by the IUCN; trade is very strictly regulated. Only acquire captive-bred specimens with legal traceability.

Feeding & health

Diet

Herbivore — None (no animal prey)

A diet high in fibre and low in protein: a base of hay and dry grasses, supplemented with edible wild plants (dandelion, plantain, clover in moderation), foliage, edible flowers and, occasionally, succulent plants. Ban sugary fruit, table scraps and any animal protein (they promote pyramiding and kidney disorders). Regular calcium supplementation (with D3 suited to the UVB) and cuttlebone available. Clean water and good hydration remain essential despite the arid environment.

Breeding

Oviparous

Clutch 1–2 eggs/young. Egg-laying most often of a single egg (rarely 2), but several clutches are possible within the same season. A naturally low reproductive rate, which makes the species vulnerable and wild trade particularly damaging. Long incubation (about 100 to 140 days around 28-30 °C depending on the sources). Monitor females to prevent egg retention.

Health watch points

Metabolic bone disease (osteodystrophy) from a UVB and/or calcium deficiency
Respiratory infections, often linked to temperatures that are too low or to unsuitable humidity
Significant internal parasitism, particularly in wild-caught specimens (to be avoided legally and ethically)
Egg retention (dystocia) in females
Dehydration and urinary stones linked to insufficient water intake

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 2 documented genes for Pancake tortoise.

Hypomelanistic golden phaseDom
Fenestration LevelDom

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the pancake tortoise.

Can you acquire a pancake tortoise like any other reptile?▾

No: the species has been listed on CITES Appendix I since 2019 and is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, which very strictly regulates its keeping and trade. Only accept captive-bred animals with full legal traceability; wild-caught specimens must be avoided altogether.

Where does the name "pancake tortoise" come from, and what does it look like?▾

Its flat, flexible, fenestrated shell (the bones have genuine "windows" covered only by horn) gives it this characteristic flattened appearance and prevents it from fully withdrawing into its shell. As an adult it measures 14 to 18 cm long and is very light, with females generally a little larger than males.

What terrarium should be provided for an adult?▾

Allow at least 120 x 60 x 45 cm, though more floor space is always preferable, especially for a group. The key element is not the size of the enclosure but a stack of flat stone slabs forming genuine narrow horizontal crevices where the animal can wedge itself; fix these rocks firmly and close the enclosure securely, as it is a formidable climber and a born escape artist.

Is it easy to handle, fairly docile?▾

It is a timid tortoise that flees at the slightest disturbance to take refuge in a crevice, rather than an animal to take out of the terrarium often. It is also surprisingly fast and agile for a tortoise, capable of climbing walls and décor, which explains the importance of a well-secured enclosure.

What temperatures and what basking spot should it be offered?▾

Set up a genuine basking spot of 35 to 38 °C on a stone slab, where it can warm up in late morning, with a gradient down to 22-26 °C on the cool side. A nighttime drop to 18 °C is natural and beneficial: switch off the heating at night rather than maintaining a permanently warm atmosphere.

Does it need UVB?▾

Yes, essential: a powerful desert-type UVB source (index around 10-12%, a T5 HO tube or mercury-vapour lamp depending on the distance) must be installed and replaced regularly. Without adequate UVB combined with calcium, metabolic bone disease sets in quickly.

What humidity and substrate should be used?▾

The overall atmosphere should stay dry and well ventilated, between 30 and 50%, with a mix of non-peaty soil and non-calcareous sand on the surface. However, set aside a crevice or shelter that is slightly more humid, as juveniles dehydrate quickly and benefit from a humid corner and regular baths.

What does a pancake tortoise eat?▾

It is a strict herbivore, with no animal prey at all: hay and dry grasses as a base, supplemented with edible wild plants such as dandelion or plantain, foliage, edible flowers and, occasionally, succulents. Ban sugary fruit and any animal protein, and supplement regularly with calcium and vitamin D3.

Should it be given water even though it lives in an arid environment?▾

Yes: a small container of clean water must be available at all times, and shallow lukewarm baths several times a week are recommended, especially for young animals. Make sure it can always climb back out without any risk of drowning.

How long does it live, and what commitment does that represent?▾

It is a long-lived species, commonly 30 to 50 years in captivity under good conditions, with slow growth and late maturity. Adopting a pancake tortoise is therefore a commitment spanning several decades, as with most terrestrial tortoises.

How does it reproduce?▾

It most often lays a single egg per clutch (rarely two), but may lay several times during the season; this naturally low reproductive rate makes the species all the more vulnerable to wild collection. Incubation lasts about 100 to 140 days at around 28-30 °C, and females should be monitored to prevent egg retention.

What are the main health issues to watch for?▾

Metabolic bone disease linked to a lack of UVB or calcium is the major risk, as are respiratory infections when temperatures are too low or humidity is unsuitable. Animals from wild-caught stock often carry significant internal parasite loads, one more reason to acquire only captive-bred animals.

Track your pancake tortoise on ReptiNode

Create a free tracking log: weight, meals, sheds, health record, QR codes and breeding projects — with the built-in genetics calculator for over 200 species.

Create a free account