Category: Tortoise

This Leopard Tortoise accelerated to a rather dramatic speed (for a tortoise) when we approached it with our vehicle on one of Thanda Safari’s main roads.

Instead of sitting down and withdrawing into its shell (the common response to approaching danger) this specimen decided to speed up to its maximum velocity.

It was an impressive site and an excellent trait to survive the modern world while crossing a road!

The average speed of a Leopard Tortoise is between 0.2 and 0.5 km/h (0.13 and 0.3 mph). Their maximum speed has been measured at a whopping 1km/h (0.62 mph).

Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 400 | 1/500sec | ev+0 | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 10% of original image

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography

… Tortoise is no stand-in for its Big Five name giver. Whereas Leopards (the cats) are rather shy and elusive, Leopard Tortoises can be seen quite regularly on Thanda Safari. With leopard-like markings on their shell they are amazing creatures to observe.

Leopard Tortoises are part of the Small Five together with Ant Lions (a tiny predatory insect), Elephant Shrews (a small mouse-like mammal), Rhino Beetles (rather large beetles), and Buffalo Weavers (a gregarious weaver bird).

Technical data: Canon R6 with EF lens f4.0/500mm | ISO 1600 | 1/3000sec | f4 | ev+/-0 | 500mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 20% of original image

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography