Care Sheet for:

African Spur-Thigh Tortoise (Geochelone Sulcata)

 

Difficulty/Care Rating: 8

 

Range/Habitat: Central Africa. Dry regions/grasslands.

 

Sexing: Males have a much longer thicker tail than females.

 

Size: Reaches 30” in shell length and 200 pounds!

 

Husbandry: Small specimens can be kept in a 20 gallon long. It won’t last long though they will outgrow it quickly! They need a wide spectrum UVB bulb and temperatures in the 80’s. Basking areas in the 90’s or above helpful. Very low humidity at 40% or under best. Herbivorous. Vitamin supplements necessary. Do not feed hi-protein diets. I.E. dog food. This will make them grow quickly but, will result in shell deformities. Keep in mind the size this species reach. Not recommended unless you have a lot of room for them. May live over 100 years!

 

Breeding: Males will combat with each other during breeding.  Females lay up to 3 times per year with clutches up to 30 eggs. Usually breed in spring but will breed year round if conditions are correct.

 

 

*This care sheet is for general information purposes only.

 

 

 

Provided as a courtesy by:

Herpetological Breeding Research

Ft. Pierce, Florida