In this quick tutorial you'll learn how to draw a Pancake Tortoise in 7 easy steps - great for kids and novice artists.
The images above represent how your finished drawing is going to look and the steps involved.
Below are the individual steps - you can click on each one for a High Resolution printable PDF version.
At the bottom you can read some interesting facts about the Pancake Tortoise.
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How to Draw a Pancake Tortoise - Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1: A Pancake Tortoise is a type of tortoise that lives in Africa. It has a flat, round shell, much like a pancake, which is how it got its name! Pancake tortoises are surprisingly fast runners because of their size and shape and will run away from predators instead of hiding. To draw a pancake tortoise, start with his head. Draw a bumpy backwards ‘C’ shape with a line in the middle for the tortoise’s mouth.
Step 2: Draw a sideways ‘V’ shape for the tortoise’s neck and draw a small line running down the middle for the side of the face. Then add a small circle for his eye.
Step 3: Now, draw the tortoise’s shell. It should be a little rough, like the tortoise’s shell. Then draw a line under the head for the bottom of the shell.
Step 4: Make a backwards, sideways ‘L’ shape for the tortoise’s front leg. Add three little ovals to make the tortoise’s claws.
Step 5: Next, draw a line under the shell for the bottom of the tortoise’s shell and draw a bumpy ‘U’ shape for the tortoise’s back leg. Don’t forget to add his claws!
Step 6: Then draw another front leg, similar to how you did the back leg.
Step 7: Finally, draw in some lopsided circles and ovals to make the patterns on the shell. You’re done!
Interesting Facts about Pancake tortoises
Pancake tortoises have a flat appearance and will run from predators instead of hiding in its shell. Unlike most tortoises, they are fast and can hide in rocks to escape predators.The Pancake Tortoise can live in a large range of altitude from just above sea level at 100 feet up to 6,000 feet. That means they can adapt too many temperatures.
Did you know?
- The tortoises do not go far from their homes and hiding places
- They are active in the morning, eating grass and vegetation
- They are a small tortoise around 6 to 7 inches when full grown
- Low reproduction rates and high capture rates for pets has made it illegal to import them
- Female tortoises can lay 1 to 2 eggs every 6 weeks and take 4 to 6 months to hatch
- Known to be the fastest tortoise and best climbers
- Social type of tortoise where up to 10 can be found in a single crevice!
- Pancake tortoises can live up to 25 years in captivity.
Their shell is pretty flat and makes them easy to turn themselves over when they flip upside down. They flip over often due to climbing on rocks.
How to Draw a Pancake Tortoise – Step-By-Step Tutorial