Fun Facts!

The African spurred tortoise is the third largest type of tortoise in the world. It has become a common pet in Europe.

Female African spurred tortoises will raise their shell up off the ground and then drop it with a thud.

The African Spurred Tortoise is known to get excited and run around just before it rains.

African Spurred Tortoise

Geochelone sulcata

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

This is the largest land tortoise, with the males reaching up to 36 inches in length and females growing up to 26 inches. They are primarily yellow-brown in color. This tortoise has five toes on the front feet and four on the rear feet. The edge of their shell at the head and tail are jagged. Small scales appear on their head, and pointed scales, or spurs, line each side of its tail. The male’s tail is long and thin, tipped by a horny spur. The female’s tail is short and blunt.

HABITAT

They are found in a band crossing central and northern Africa. They like dry regions, woodlands and semi-arid desert and grasslands.

DIET IN THE WILD

The African spurred tortoise is a herbivore, eating assorted vegetables, fruits and foliage, particularly the leaves of the morning glory, a flowering vine. Not all tortoises eat every day.

BEHAVIOR

They can burrow well, and will dig themselves in the ground to survive extended periods of drought. They will become very inactive in intense heat or cold. Permanent sleeping burrows, or pallets, may be shared by two or more tortoises. Males are often aggressive, and fight each other by ramming and biting. When an adult feels threatened it will creep back into its burrow. or hiss and putt its head, limbs and tail into its shell.

STATUS IN THE WILD / CONSERVATION EFFORTS

Listed as an endangered species. While some protection is provided in Africa, the illegal capture of African spurred tortoises for the pet trade continues. It is a favorite pet in parts of Europe and the United States, although the United states reportedly now breeds enough of the tortoise for the demand.

LIFE SPAN

African spurred tortoises can live to be more than 80 years!