In Stigmochelys pardalis babcocki especially there is a wide spectrum of average and maximum sizes,colorations, and color patterns within its distribution range. Specimens from some regions (i.e the northern and southernmost ends of the range) may,for example, be up 300% larger than those of the same age from other regions. This could be a result of various environmental factors such as climate, diet and genetic makeup. The mentioned regions with the largest specimens are marked bywarm, moist summers that favor very much the growth of feeder plants and thus that of the leopard tortoises. The months with the highest degree of moisture at equatorial latitudes, on the other hand,need not necessarily coincide with the times of greatest warmth.
Devaux (1999c) supposed that there may be three subspecies: a northern, a southern, and one in the center of the distribution range. The "central subspecies" from about Angola, Bostwana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Tanzania is according to Devaux, marked by a smaller body size, a higher domed carapace, a yellowish orange ground color, and a distinct pattern of dark spots. The other two forms, in contrast, would grow larger, have more convex carapace scutes, retain a lighter coloration and possess paler markings. That these supposed differences are not always applicable, though, is demonstrated, for example, by the hump-like convex vertabral and pleural scutes typically found in the carapace of the leopard tortoises from the serengeti (Tanzania). Lambert et al. (1998), who thoroughly studied the serengeti population, interpreted these "humps" as a result of a diet either deficient in calcium or proficient in protien (carrion, predator feces), but also considered a possible adaptation to the hard, grass-covered ground of the serengeti. Holger Vetter
Holger later goes on to state that the mentioned diferences in color pattern of the shell are far more difficult discern in adults than in juveniles, he also sites Schleicher & Schleicher (1997) as not being able to confirm said differences due to having animals of the same clutch exhibitng traits of both subspecies.
I find it interesting that several topics of debate were touched on here, and all left open to interpretation.Also interesting is that although moisture is sited as being responsible for more growth, it is not linked to the serengeti leopards possible greater sun exposure and lack of moisture.more and more I feel as do others that in captivity it is not so much the lack of moisture as it is we are cooking these animals with light bulbs, much like a chicken in the oven if you keep basteing it, it will not dry out so much. So is basting really the answer? Or do are lighting/heating methods need to be revamped? Do these animals really need constant high temps only to be basted?
Anyway this has become long winded I have other thoughts that I will touch on later but for now I would like to read others thoughts and comments on all the info above. Thanks, John
Devaux (1999c) supposed that there may be three subspecies: a northern, a southern, and one in the center of the distribution range. The "central subspecies" from about Angola, Bostwana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Tanzania is according to Devaux, marked by a smaller body size, a higher domed carapace, a yellowish orange ground color, and a distinct pattern of dark spots. The other two forms, in contrast, would grow larger, have more convex carapace scutes, retain a lighter coloration and possess paler markings. That these supposed differences are not always applicable, though, is demonstrated, for example, by the hump-like convex vertabral and pleural scutes typically found in the carapace of the leopard tortoises from the serengeti (Tanzania). Lambert et al. (1998), who thoroughly studied the serengeti population, interpreted these "humps" as a result of a diet either deficient in calcium or proficient in protien (carrion, predator feces), but also considered a possible adaptation to the hard, grass-covered ground of the serengeti. Holger Vetter
Holger later goes on to state that the mentioned diferences in color pattern of the shell are far more difficult discern in adults than in juveniles, he also sites Schleicher & Schleicher (1997) as not being able to confirm said differences due to having animals of the same clutch exhibitng traits of both subspecies.
I find it interesting that several topics of debate were touched on here, and all left open to interpretation.Also interesting is that although moisture is sited as being responsible for more growth, it is not linked to the serengeti leopards possible greater sun exposure and lack of moisture.more and more I feel as do others that in captivity it is not so much the lack of moisture as it is we are cooking these animals with light bulbs, much like a chicken in the oven if you keep basteing it, it will not dry out so much. So is basting really the answer? Or do are lighting/heating methods need to be revamped? Do these animals really need constant high temps only to be basted?
Anyway this has become long winded I have other thoughts that I will touch on later but for now I would like to read others thoughts and comments on all the info above. Thanks, John