Endangered pancake tortoise born at West Midland Safari Park

The miniscule youngster, who hatched from its egg on July 10, is the second 'pancake tortoise' born at the park in recent years, after older half-brother Finn became an internet sensation in 2017 due to his minute size.

Although the baby's gender is not yet known, the tortoise has been named Hartley by keepers and brings the number of pancakes at the park up to five.

Deputy head keeper of the Discovery Trail, Steve Slater, said: "When Finn, our first baby pancake tortoise, hatched in 2017, the conservation status of his species was classed as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

"Since then, the IUCN have reviewed the status and have found that the population of the species is drastically declining, so now list the species as critically endangered.

"The wild population has decreased by 80 per cent in 30 years, mainly due to habitat destruction and over-exploitation for the pet trade.

"Our tortoises are part of a European breeding programme, for which we work with other European zoos in a vow to support tortoise conservation in a regulated and ethical environment.

"Although the new hatchling is teeny-tiny, Hartley is already a big part of saving his species."

Hartley’s appearance has been eagerly anticipated by keepers at the park, as pancake tortoises have a very slow reproductive rate and the eggs have a lengthy incubation period.

Hartley’s egg was laid in January and took 178 days to develop and hatch.

Pancake tortoises are so called because of their flat shells. Unlike other tortoises, their shells are flexible, making them lighter and speedier too.

Baby animals of Hartley’s size have to be monitored by keepers, so will not be on show until he’s a lot bigger. However the adult pancake tortoises can be seen in the Reptile House, located in the Discovery Trail.