Common padloper
A species of Padlopers, Also known as Beaked cape tortoise Scientific name : Homopus areolatus Genus : Padlopers
Common padloper, A species of Padlopers
Also known as:
Beaked cape tortoise
Scientific name: Homopus areolatus
Genus: Padlopers
Content
Description General Info
Photo By jacquesmerwe923 , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
Homopus areolatus, commonly known as the common padloper or parrot-beaked tortoise, is a tiny species of tortoise of the Homopus genus, indigenous to the southern part of South Africa.
General Info
Lifespan
50-100 years
Diet
Common padloper has a herbivorous preference, primarily feasting on succulents. This species exhibits a particular fondness for the leaves, stems, and fruit of plants intrinsic to its desert and semi-desert home territory.
Appearance
The common padloper is a small-sized tortoise, with oval-shaped, flat shells adorned with an intricate pattern of light radial streaks on a dark base. The head, legs, and tail are yellowish-tan, with thickly scaled skin. Supreme projections on the limbs offer an armored appearance. No significant visual difference exists among age groups or genders.
Behavior
Common padloper is typically solitary with males being highly territorial. They exhibit unique anti-predator adaptations such as retracting their heads and legs, becoming flattened discs. Primarily diurnal, they forage on vegetation and succulent plants. Their mating rituals include suggestive head movements by the males.
Population
Decreasing
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Reptiles Order
Testudines Family
Tortoises Genus
Padlopers Species
Common padloper 
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