On April 4, 2015, Como Zoo hatched their first pancake
tortoise (Malacochersus tornieri). The egg was laid this past October and was
incubated for 170 days at 88 degrees F to hopefully produce female offspring (many
reptiles have gender specified incubation). This hatchling is about the size of
a golf ball and is a perfect miniature replica of her parents, who are only 6
inches in length and weigh about a pound each.
Pancake tortoises are native to the Eastern African
countries of Kenya and Tanzania. Unlike most
tortoises, the shell of the pancake tortoise is made up of overlapping scutes
that have large gaps in between, allowing this small tortoise the ability to
squeeze into tight crevices to avoid predators. They are remarkable climbers and use their
shell flexibility, agility and speed to escape predators instead of retreating
into their shell like most tortoises.
Due to low reproduction rates, native habitat being
transformed into agricultural land and over exploitation for the pet trade, the
pancake tortoise is considered a vulnerable species. In the early 1980’s, Kenya banned the export
of this tortoise and they are legally protected in both Tanzania and
Kenya.
Because of this vulnerable status, the pancake tortoise is
part of a Species Survival Plan (SSP) which is a cooperative captive breeding
program among zoos worldwide. Como Zoo participates in the SSP and this hatchling
is the first offspring since receiving two females from TSA (Turtle Survival Alliance)
on a breeding loan in 2012.
Como is hopeful that more baby tortoises will hatch in the
future to do their part to ensure the survival of this unique tortoise species.
-Zookeeper Ruthie
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