Pancake tortoise MaiacocherslIs tomieri is a rock crevice-dwelling terrestrial testunidrninhabiting rock outcrops and kopjes discontinuously distributed throughout the semi-aridrnand arid savannas (Somali-Masai floristic zone) of Kenya and Tanzania. Theirrndistribution overlaps with that of Precambrian rocks of the basement complex system.rnThe capture-mark-recapture technique used showed that the species population size inrnNguni and Nuu areas is low and declining. Crevice rich rock outcrops with wellvegetatedrnsubstrates are specifically preferred. Pancake tortoises are thus patchily andrndiscontinuously distributed within their overall range. The species is very specialized inrnits microhabitat requirements with regard to crevice configuration in which individuals,rnpairs and occasionally large assemblages reside. The orientation of inhabited rockrncrevices varies from horizontal to vertical. Suitable crevices that provide protection fromrnpredators, overheating and desiccation are limited in number and they may regulaternpopulation size.rnThe species pair bonding is seasonal and restricted to breeding season. There was nornsignificant difference (P > 0.05) in mean body weight and straight-line carapace lengthrnof males and females. Sexual dimorphism is not well marked. There was a highlyrnsignificant positive linear correlation (r = 0.964) between straight-line carapace lengthrnand body weight. Outside crevice activity is very limited and only some hatchlings werernfound basking on rock surfaces during the wet season. During the dry season allrnspecimens were within their crevices presumably aestivating. Movement in Pancakerntortoises is very limited and centered on their rock crevices as the core areas. Males arernmore wide ranging than females. Females are relatively sedentary. Age structure ofrnPancake tortoise shows that adults dominate the population with very few youngrnsignifying a declining population. Considerable variation in adult color patterns wasrnobserved. The use of growth rings in estimation of age was found to be less reliable asrnage increases. Habitat alteration by humans in the form of shifting cultivation wasrnidentified as the major threat to Pancake tortoise population. Isolation of suitable habitatsrncoupled with limited dispersal abilities of the species and low recruitment rates makern, recovery of depleted populations unlikely. In situ conservation through establishment ofrnpublicly and/or privately owned nature reserves is recommended over that of tortoisernfarms. Tortoise farms may provide incentive to manage and conserve the species,rnalthough it may in turn encourage illegal off-take.