Common names: Sulcata Tortoise, African Spurred Tortoise
Scientific name: Centrochelys sulcata
Origin: Southern edge of the Sahara Desert (Chad, Sudan, Mali, Ethiopia, etc.)
Size:
Average adult: 24–30 in (60–75 cm) shell length
Weight: 70–150 lbs (32–70 kg), with some over 200 lbs (90+ kg)
Lifespan: 70–100+ years in captivity with proper care
Shell (carapace): Light brown to golden tan, deeply grooved scutes (“sulcate” means furrowed)
Skin: Thick, rough, golden to brown, adapted to dry environments
Spurs: Large, conical spurs on their thighs — the feature behind their common name
Sexual dimorphism:
Males usually larger, with longer, curved gular scutes (plastron extension under neck)
Females more rounded with shorter scutes
Personality: Generally calm, curious, and gentle
Handling: Not ideal for frequent handling due to large size and stress risk
Behavior:
Loves digging burrows (to escape heat and maintain humidity)
Very strong — can push through fences and lift heavy objects
Grazing is their main activity
Enclosure (outdoor preferred):
Adults need a large, secure outdoor pen (hundreds of square feet) with reinforced fencing
Indoor enclosures are only suitable for hatchlings/juveniles
Substrate: Outdoors — soil/sand mix for digging; Indoors — coconut coir, topsoil, or organic dirt
Temperature:
Daytime: 80–100°F basking area
Night: >70°F (adults tolerate cooler but not below 60°F for long)
Humidity:
Adults: 30–50% (semi-arid)
Hatchlings: require higher humidity (65–80%) to prevent pyramiding (shell deformity)
Lighting: Full-spectrum UVB is essential for calcium metabolism if kept indoors
Type: Strict herbivore, grazer
Staple foods:
High-fiber grasses (Bermuda, Timothy, orchard, fescue)
Edible weeds (dandelion, clover, plantain)
Succulents (opuntia cactus pads)
Avoid: Fruits, high-protein foods (dog/cat food, legumes), too much watery lettuce
Supplements: Calcium + vitamin D3 if indoors (outdoor natural sunlight usually sufficient)
Feeding style: Constant grazing opportunity preferred
Malaysia
