African Spurred Tortoise
Centrochelys sulcata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Testudines
Family
Testudinidae
African Spurred Tortoise
Range
Southern edge of the Sahara Desert in Africa
Size
Length: Males avg. 30 in, Females avg. 20 in
Weight: Males up to 200 lbs, Females up to 90 lbs
Habitat
Semi-arid grasslands, scrub, and savanna
Young
Clutch: 15 - 30 eggs
Gestation: About 60 days
Diet
Grasses, weeds, cactus
IUCN Status
Endangered
The African spurred tortoise is also known as the sulcata tortoise and African spur thigh tortoise.
The African spurred tortoise is the largest mainland tortoise. It is the world's third-largest tortoise overall, after the island dweller tortoises from Aldabra and Galápagos.
Territorial Testudines
These solitary and territorial reptiles will compete with other tortoises that encroach on their feeding grounds or burrowing areas. Fights consist of ramming shells and trying to flip one another over.
Burrow Builder
This species is an excellent digger, diggin burrows up to 10 feet deep. Their burrows provide shelter during the dry and rainy seasons. They will dig burrows underground to create a cooler and moister sheltered environment in order to regulate their body temperature in the heat.
Reproduction
Breeding occurs anytime between June and the following March, though it is thought to be more common after the rains from September to November. Hatchlings are about 2 inches long.
Status
African spurred tortoises are in decline due to habitat loss, desertification, and the illegal pet trade. The ongoing desertification of the Sahel region, combined with high-density livestock grazing (by cattle, goats, donkeys, and camels), destroys the tortoise's natural habitat and restricts their presence. Overgrazing and bushfires reduce food plants and fragment their environment.
How You Can Help
Share Information: Educate friends, family, and social media contacts about the tortoise's endangered status and the impact of habitat loss and unsustainable pet ownership.
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