Video by @joelsartore | A leopard tortoise at the @lincolnchildrenszoo in Lincoln, Nebraska. This beautifully-marked tortoise can be found in the savannas of eastern and southern Africa. They are defensive creatures, often retracting into their shells for protection, which can produce a hissing sound as air is squeezed from their lungs during the process. Leopard tortoises are the fourth largest species of tortoise on Earth, typically growing to 18 inches in length and weighing around 40 pounds. However, some individuals have been found weighing up to 120 pounds! To see an image of a another leopard tortoise, follow @joelsartore! . . #tortoise #leopardtortoise #nature #wildlife #wildlifephotography #savetogether #video #natgeo #photoark

A post shared by National Geographic (@natgeo) on Jun 7, 2017 at 7:44am PDT