LEOPARD TORTOISE MISSION

Just a couple of days ago I was driving down the length of an airstrip looking for any signs of Wildebeest to be able to show my guests when we happened upon a Leopard Tortoise. This little guy was moving at a fair pace and quickly retreated into his shell when we coasted towards him. He was steadily moving East across the airstrip in the direction of a nearby water source. After a few seconds of hiding, this little chap got moving again in the same direction with purpose. All of a sudden he slammed on breaks and for no apparent reason, did an about turn and headed even quicker in the opposite direction. I initially thought that we had possible disturbed his plans when in the distance, more than 80 metres away (nearly 300 feet) we spotted a second Leopard Tortoise!

This was fascinating! How on earth did this Tortoise know that the other one was there? We watched as the Tortoise made a B-line straight in the direction of the second Tortoise. I was amazed. I made sure to check if there was any clear line of sight, which there was not, and I know that Tortoises follow pheromone scent signals. This just seemed crazy that this Tortoise was aware of the second one at such a long distance.

The Tortoise was moving at such a pace he was almost tripping over his little feet. I couldn’t just leave it; I had to see what was going to happen, so I drove around to the opposite side and watched the two meet up. They stood within a metre of one another and just had a “stand-off”. They were both two males, so I figured there may be an interaction between the two. I am prepared to assume that possibly both males could have been following the scent of a female, but the question remains, how on Earth did the two know that each other were there, and from so far away? Awesome to see!

Posted: Exeter Lodges by Craig Paulsen, Date: 13 November 2011