Leopard this big really?!? And so beautiful

[Fredkas]

I never know leopard can become this big, and they are so pretty.

 

[dmmj]

Those are most likely the SA leopards. very impressive

 

[Hans75]

Hello, this picture does not show SA leopards. This is a picture added to an ad selling Ethiopian (or Somali, can´t really remember) Leopard Tortoises several years ago in Europe/Germany. As far as I can remember it was discussed quite controversial in German and other European forums because at this time quite a few large Ethiopian Leopard Tortoises have been imported to Europe. Those fully grown tortoises didn´t do to well in capitivity and probably a large number of them died. Nevertheless, today, captive bred Ethiopian/Somali leopards are available regularly in Germany/Europe.

 

[Fredkas]

@Tom please give insight as i am curious about this

 

[TerrapinStation]

Hans from left field with the info...... Nice!

Those are some impressive beasts. The photo itself looks a little suspicious to me, it has a photoshop quality to it, but that is my personal opinion and by no means meant to be taken as truth or fact.

 

[Fredkas]

Yes the shells is too much beautiful and clean for wild tort i think

 

[Yvonne G]

Hans from left field with the info...... Nice!

Those are some impressive beasts. The photo itself looks a little suspicious to me, it has a photoshop quality to it, but that is my personal opinion and by no means meant to be taken as truth or fact.

No, it's real for sure. That's a very old picture that we've discussed here on the Forum before. I'll see if I can find the thread.

 

[Yvonne G]

Here's one:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/ethiopian-giant.108889/#post-1013648

and another:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/ethiopian-leopard-torts-pics-to-come-soon.129158/#post-1206488

I couldn't find the one where we talked about that picture shown above, but I know it's here someplace.

 

[Tom]

@Tom please give insight as i am curious about this

Hans spelled it out perfectly.

That type is not available in the US to my knowledge.

Richard and Jerry Fife went to Ethiopia and found this type in the wild. They did a presentation at the TTPG showing all sorts of pictures from their trip.

 

[Killerrookie]

Hans spelled it out perfectly.

That type is not available in the US to my knowledge.

Richard and Jerry Fife went to Ethiopia and found this type in the wild. They did a presentation at the TTPG showing all sorts of pictures from their trip.

Are these Pardalis Pardalis Leopard tortoises?

 

[TerrapinStation]

Thanks Yvonne. Those are some cool animals.

 

[Anyfoot]

If someone was selling juvenile Ethiopian leopards, how would I be able to guarantee they genuinely are Ethiopian.

 

[Yvonne G]

Are these Pardalis Pardalis Leopard tortoises?

Since there are no recognised sub species in the Pardalis group of tortoises, the answer has to be no. ALL leopard tortoises are Stigmochelys (or Geochelone) pardalis. Pardalis pardalis and Pardalis babcocki are not recognised.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

If someone was selling juvenile Ethiopian leopards, how would I be able to guarantee they genuinely are Ethiopian.

Speak to them in Amharic.
If they understand, they are Ethiopian.

 

[leigti]

They are gorgeous and I wish they would've left them in the wild where they belong. Unless they were being hunted down and killed or something they should be left alone.

 

[Anyfoot]

Speak to them in Amharic.
If they understand, they are Ethiopian.

So there's no way of telling?

 

[Fredkas]

So it is likely will be extinct. so sad they are so beautiful. i hope there are breeders to help this big gen.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

So there's no way of telling?

I don't know, but I doubt it.

 

[Neal]

As others have said, this picture has been circulating for awhile. There used to be a Spanish forum and his own website that had a bunch of pictures of the offspring from this his adults, but it doesn't appear to be around anymore.

It's an impressive picture. I've always wondered how big the ones in the picture actually are.

 

[tomoyuki honda]

I never know leopard can become this big, and they are so pretty.

They are called Somalia type leo in Japan.