Shell-shocked ! Tiny pancake tortoise is the size of a 50p coin

Steve Slater, Deputy Head of the Discovery Trail, said the species are classified as ‘vulnerable’, making Finn’s arrival even more exciting.

“The keepers excitedly opened the incubator after waiting many weeks and were completely shell-shocked to discover this little but very important find — the very first baby of this species at West Midland Safari Park,” he said.

“The pancake tortoise is a species of flat-shelled tortoise, in the family ‘Testudinidae’. Its common name refers to the flat shape of its shell. Unlike other tortoises, the shell on a pancake tortoise is actually flexible making them lighter and speedier than other tortoises.

“The biggest threat to pancake tortoises is habitat destruction and being taken for the pet trade. Due to its vulnerable status, they are now the subject of a breeding programme in European zoos, which ours are a part of.”

Pancake tortoises usually inhabit the mountains of Kenya and Tanzania, however Finn’s mum and dad arrived from Amsterdam a few years ago as part of the programme.