Pancake Tortoise
CR

Pancake Tortoise

Malacochersus tornieri

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancake_tortoise

Overview

The pancake tortoise is a species of flat-shelled tortoise in the family Testudinidae. The species is native to Tanzania and Kenya. There are also small populations in northern Zambia. Its common name refers to the flat shape of its shell.

The pancake tortoise faces severe population decline primarily due to intensive collection for the international pet trade, where its unique flat shell makes it highly sought after. Habitat degradation from overgrazing by livestock and human encroachment into rocky outcrops further fragments already small populations. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the arid ecosystem dynamics that this specialized species depends upon.

Threat summary

Habitat

Malacochersus tornieri inhabits rocky outcrops, kopjes, and granite inselbergs in semi-arid savannas of East Africa. The species requires specific microhabitats with crevices and rock formations that provide shelter and thermoregulation opportunities in the harsh arid environment.

Savanna· majorRocky areas· majorDesert· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionLegislationPolicies and regulationsCompliance and enforcementLinked enterprises & livelihood alternatives

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Pancake Tortoise classified as Critically Endangered?
Pancake Tortoise is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The pancake tortoise faces severe population decline primarily due to intensive collection for the international pet trade, where its unique flat shell makes it highly sought after. Habitat degradation from overgrazing by livestock and human encroachment into rocky outcrops further fragments already small populations. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the arid ecosystem dynamics that this specialized species depends upon.
Where does Pancake Tortoise live?
Pancake Tortoise occurs in Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, and Zambia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Pancake Tortoise?
The main threats to Pancake Tortoise are 1.1, 2.1, 2.3, and 5.1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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