Stigmochelys pardalis

Secure, grassy outdoor enclosure (ideal for adults); large tortoise table, greenhouse or heated indoor room.

A very large species requiring a vast, well-drained grazing area; allow for several m² and expand it as the animal grows (the dimensions given are an indoor minimum for one adult). Dry ground and a heated shelter are essential in temperate climates. PROTECTED: listed in CITES Appendix II (EU Annex B) — check local regulations, legal origin and documents (prefer a captive-bred specimen) before any acquisition; be wary of wild-caught animals, which are often stressed and heavily parasitized.

Adults come from dry environments (40-60% ambient humidity). Juveniles need a more humid microclimate (60-80% in a humid hide) and regular baths to limit shell pyramiding. Avoid cold, stagnant ambient humidity.

Loose, breathable substrate allowing digging, a rather dry surface but with a localized humid hide for the young. Avoid pure sand (risk of intestinal impaction) and dusty resinous shavings.

High UVB requirements (T5 10-12% UVB tube or mercury-vapour lamp) for vitamin D3 synthesis and good calcification. Exposure to natural, unfiltered (unglazed) sunlight is optimal and strongly recommended whenever the climate allows.

A shallow water dish available at all times for drinking and bathing. Regular lukewarm baths (10-20 min), particularly important for juveniles, for hydration and transit.

Semi-arid savannas and grasslands of East and Southern Africa (from Ethiopia and Sudan down to South Africa, through Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Botswana).

Herbivore — None (strictly herbivorous)

A very high-fibre diet: grasses and hay (>70% of the ration), untreated wild plants (dandelion, plantain, clover in moderation), succulents (opuntia). Avoid fruit, vegetables high in protein/oxalates and any dog/cat kibble. Low protein content. Calcium supplementation (cuttlebone available at will) is essential, especially during growth.

Clutch 5–30 eggs/young. Can produce several clutches per year (often 5 to 7), sometimes very large. Long and variable incubation (~8 to 18 months depending on temperature). Sex is determined by incubation temperature.

• Shell pyramiding (humidity too low, excess protein, inadequate UVB/calcium)
• Respiratory infections (high sensitivity to cold and stagnant humidity)
• Metabolic bone disease / MBD (calcium or UVB deficiency)
• Bladder stones (dehydration, excess protein)
• Internal parasites (common in wild-caught specimens)