Stigmochelys, from Ancient Greek ÃÂÃÂïóüñ (stÃÂgma), meaning "spot", and ÃÂÃÂûàà(khélus), meaning "turtle", is a genus of tortoise endemic to Africa. Stigmochelys pardalis, the leopard tortoise, is the only extant species. Leopard tortoises were once placed in the genus Geochelone along with many other large tortoises. Two fossil species are known: