Unlike most tortoises, which are known for their heavy, dome-shaped shells and slow, lumbering movements, the pancake tortoise has a flat, flexible shell that looks more like a tortilla than a traditional tortoise shell. This odd shape gives it a huge advantage in the wild. Native to the rocky hillsides of Kenya and Tanzania, the pancake tortoise uses its flattened body to squeeze into narrow cracks and crevices to escape predators.

One of the coolest things about the pancake tortoise is just how different its shell is compared to others in its family. Most tortoises have thick, bony shells that are great for protection but also quite heavy. The pancake tortoise’s shell, on the other hand, is light and flexible, with many open spaces in the bone structure. This makes it much lighter and easier for the tortoise to move quickly—yes, quickly for a tortoise! It can even climb rocks and wedge itself into tight spots to stay safe. Scientists believe its shell works like a “wedging tool,” helping it stay firmly stuck in rocky crevices, so predators can’t pull it out.

Another fun fact is that pancake tortoises are surprisingly social for reptiles. While many tortoises prefer to be alone, pancake tortoises are known to share crevices and basking spots with others of their kind. It’s not uncommon to find several of them living together in the same rocky outcrop, squeezing into small spaces together like puzzle pieces. This social behavior, combined with their unusual looks, makes them one of the more charismatic members of the tortoise family.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Kenya

2018

Tanzania

2018

Zambia

2018

Recent Updates

• This species profile was created with the support of the Zoology Department, Herpetology Section of the National Museums of Kenya