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African
Spurred Tortoise
Geochelone sulcata (1779, Miller) |
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| general
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| description |
One of the most famous
and popular pet tortoises in the world. It is active,
easy-going, hardy and easy to be kept healthily if enough
space if provided. It is world's 3rd largest tortoise. |
| a.k.a |
Sulcata Tortoise, Grooved
Tortoise |
| distribution |
 
 
 
Central Africa, including Southern Sahara, Senegal, Mauritania,
Mali, Niger, Chad, Ethiopia
code : ET, ML, MR, NG, SD, SN, TD |
| adult
size |
2' - 2'6" carapax length
; 90 - 150 lbs. ;
largest in record is 3'6" and 232 lbs. (Giza Zoological
Gardens, Eygpt, 1925) |
| hatchling
size |
2" - 3" carapax
length |
| life
span |
about 40 - 50 years;
oldest in record is 54 years (Giza Zoological Gardens,
Egypt, 1986) |
| housing |
| natural
habitats |
Terrestrial; Arid grasslands |
| cage
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Cage should be large enough.
Adults are recommended to be housed outdoors in most time
of the year. (e.g. Wooden
Terrarium, Glass
Terrarium) |
| substrate |
fine sand (e.g. Repti
Sand, Calci-Sand),
compressed paper granules (e.g. Good
Mews) |
| activity
period |
 Daytime (diurnal);
12
- 14 hours each day with direct natural sunlight or UV
lamp (e.g. ReptiSun 5.0,
UV Heat Bulb) |
| temperature |
34 - 40 ¢XC -- basking
spot (e.g. Basking
Spot Lamp)
28 - 31 ¢XC -- cooler area (e.g. Daylight
Blue Bulb)
26 - 28 ¢XC -- at night (e.g. Nightlight
Red Bulb, Infrared
Heat Lamp, Ceramic
Heat Emitter) |
| humidity |
low |
| water
dish |
Optional. A small water
dish (e.g. Rock water
dish) can be left in the cage sometimes but not all
the time |
| hiding
place |
Optional. Possibllites
include caves (e.g. Habba
Hut, Heat Cave), etc |
| diet |
| diet |
Herbivorous |
| primary
food |
Grass, Dark Leafy Greens
(e.g. mustards, collards, dandelions, turnips, hibiscus,
mulberries, sprouts, kales), Box
Turtle & Tortoise Food , Tortoise
Formula |
| occasional
food |
Pricky Pears, Carrots,
Apples (with skin), Peaches, Berries, Squashes, Beans
(with skin), Peas (with skin), Almonds |
| never
feed on |
Very Juicy Fruits, Tomatos,
Bananas, Cabbages, Cucumbers, Bok Choy, Iceberg Lettuces,
Rhubarbs, Broccoli, etc |
| reproduction |
| reproduction
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Oviparous |
| mating
age |
from 12 - 15 years |
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