24/03/2026
Did you know Thaba Eco Park is home to not one, but two fascinating tortoise species?
Meet the leopard tortoise, easily recognised by its beautifully patterned, dome-shaped shell — and here’s something you might not expect… it’s the only tortoise that can swim when needed, especially during floods.
Then there’s Speke’s hinged tortoise, with a flatter shell and a clever survival trick. When danger approaches, like a passing fire, it can retreat into underground holes to stay safe.
A small but important reminder when you visit:
If you spot a tortoise crossing the road, give it time and space to get to the other side. Picking it up can cause it to release a protective fluid, which may leave it dehydrated if there’s no nearby water.
Nature has its way — we’re just here to respect it.
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