African Spurred Tortoise

Geochelone sulcata

This is the largest African mainland tortoise, growing up to 35 inches (females to 26 inches).  It is a common pet in Europe, occasionally surviving over a century.  They are able to run and burrow quite well and they get excited just before it rains.  They become very inactive when very hot or very cold and can survive extended frought period in self-dug burrows or "pallets".  They dig permanent sleeping burrows which may be shared by two or more tortoises.  Adult males hiss when approached too closely and retreat into their shell or burrow, where they wedge themselves in.  Females do the same, make croaking noises, and throw the rear part of their shell violently about and may even raise their shell up off the ground and drop it with a thud.

They are native to central and northern Africa in the dry regions, woodlands, and semi desert grass and shrub land.  Their diet consists of assorted vegetables and fruits.  They prefer leaves of the morning-glory (Ipomaea) and not all tortoises eat every day.

The female digs a pear-shaped nest where white, round eggs are laid and covered.  Incubation is 212 days in the wild.  Hatchlings, about 2 inches long, emerge 1-3 days after a rain, usually at night or early morning, leaving distinct tracks.  They take 3-10 days to escape to the surface.