Pancake tortoise
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pancake tortoise |
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||||||||
Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Malacochersus tornieri |
The Pancake Tortoise, or Malacochersus tornieri, is a flat-shelled tortoise most commonly found in Tanzania and Kenya. Its name is derived from the shape of its shell, which is shaped like a pancake. Unlike most tortoises, its shell is flat, flexible, and provides the turtle very little defense against predators. For protection, the Pancake Tortoise hides in small crevices, which it can easily do due to the flat shape of its shell.