African Spurred Tortoise CB21

African Spurred Tortoise

Care Sheet

African Spurred Tortoise CB21

African Spurred Tortoise or ‘Sulcata’ are the third largest tortoise in the world

Adult Sulcata’s grow to a staggering 18inches, weighing up to 7.5 Stone

Sulcata Tortoises are known to be social animals who build up good relationships with their keepers. They have an interesting an inquisitive personality and will often choose to be around their keeper when exploring the outside world.

You may enjoy taking your tortoise out during the peak summer heat, we recommend minimising this time to 15-30 minutes so that your tortoise doesn’t get cold. Be ware of wild plants which may be poisonous to your pet.

Platinum Tortoise Table Kit

HOUSING YOUR SULCATA

There are a few different types of tortoise enclosure available which are based around a table or a vivarium style.

Sulcata tortoises grow extremely large and a life-time plan for housing should be taken into consideration when purchasing one. 

As with all tortoises, Sulcata’s require UVB and heat in order to survive. As Sulcata’s are indigenous of Africa which naturally has a much higher level of heat and UVB from the sun, and so we must try to replicate this environment as much as possible within captivity.

For the first 2-3 years of it’s life, your tortoise would happily live in a table or vivarium set-up providing this level of heat and UVB is provided. Once your tortoise has outgrown its enclosure, its time to look at custom options. Likely you would need something similar to what you housed your tortoise in when small, except on a much larger scale. Adult tortoises are known to need similar roaming space to a horse when fully grown, however it is vital that they have an enclosure for night time and for when the outside heat is not sufficient for the tortoise. Peak summer in the UK is a nice time to take our tortoises out in the garden, providing we house them back inside their enclosure at night times.

Sulcata tortoises use their burrowing skills in the wild to allow them to cool down and hide from peak temperatures. Provide a thick layer of subsrate for your tortoise to dig and bury in as it would in the wild. Use more arid substrates such as tortoise life for your sulcata. At large sizes, your tortoises will be unable to access a water bowl, so regular soaking once a week is advised to ensure your pet does not become dehydrated.

HOUSING YOUR SULCATA

There are a few different types of tortoise enclosure available which are based around a table or a vivarium style.

Sulcata tortoises grow extremely large and a life-time plan for housing should be taken into consideration when purchasing one. 

As with all tortoises, Sulcata’s require UVB and heat in order to survive. As Sulcata’s are indigenous of Africa which naturally has a much higher level of heat and UVB from the sun, and so we must try to replicate this environment as much as possible within captivity.

For the first 2-3 years of it’s life, your tortoise would happily live in a table or vivarium set-up providing this level of heat and UVB is provided. Once your tortoise has outgrown its enclosure, its time to look at custom options. Likely you would need something similar to what you housed your tortoise in when small, except on a much larger scale. Adult tortoises are known to need similar roaming space to a horse when fully grown, however it is vital that they have an enclosure for night time and for when the outside heat is not sufficient for the tortoise. Peak summer in the UK is a nice time to take our tortoises out in the garden, providing we house them back inside their enclosure at night times.

Sulcata tortoises use their burrowing skills in the wild to allow them to cool down and hide from peak temperatures. Provide a thick layer of subsrate for your tortoise to dig and bury in as it would in the wild. Use more arid substrates such as tortoise life for your sulcata. At large sizes, your tortoises will be unable to access a water bowl, so regular soaking once a week is advised to ensure your pet does not become dehydrated.

Platinum Tortoise Table Kit
African spurred tortoise group

HANDLING YOUR SULCATA

Sulcata tortoises are very strong, heavy and powerful and will pretty much go wherever they choose, by force if needed.

When small, they can be handled but should aways be done so that your tortoise is free to move. Tortoises enjoy head scratches and chin scratches. Male sulcata tortoises can be aggressive if the back of their shell is touched as they see this as a tortoise trying to mate or fight with them.

We advise keeping stroking and scratching to the front of the body. Be wary of legs as when  larger tortoises pull them in they can be painful if your hand is behind the leg. Never put your hands or fingers near a sulcata tortoises beak as they have a very powerful bite.

african spurred tortoise eating

GENERAL CARE

Genus, Species Centrochelys sulcata
Adult Size 18 Inches
Habitat Desert Savannah, Scrubland
Lifespan 150 (+) years
Diet: Meadow Hay, Orchard Hay and other rough hays. Vegetables once a week as a treat. Offer cuttlefish and dust food with Calcium +D3 2-3 times a week.
Ambient Temp (f) 80-95
Basking Temp (f) 122
Humidity (%) 40-60 UVI 1.0 – 2.6 (Shade) UVI: 2.9 – 7.4 (Max bask)
Locality Africa Difficulty 4
Breeding Age 5 Years
Social Structure Live alone or with opposite sex, groups of females

GENERAL CARE

Genus, Species Centrochelys sulcata
Adult Size 18 Inches
Habitat Desert Savannah, Scrubland
Lifespan 150 (+) years
Diet: Meadow Hay, Orchard Hay and other rough hays. Vegetables once a week as a treat. Offer cuttlefish and dust food with Calcium +D3 2-3 times a week.
Ambient Temp (f) 80-95
Basking Temp (f) 122
Humidity (%) 40-60 UVI 1.0 – 2.6 (Shade) UVI: 2.9 – 7.4 (Max bask)
Locality Africa Difficulty 4
Breeding Age 5 Years
Social Structure Live alone or with opposite sex, groups of females

african spurred tortoise eating
african spurred tortoise

SEXING YOUR SULCATA

Sexing tortoises is different depending on species. Tortoises can be very hard to sex when small, but once a tortoise is large enough to start to develop more distinctive characteristics there are a couple of noticeable differences.

Male Sulcata tortoises have a curved shell underneath which allows them to mate. Females have a flat shell.

Male sulcate tortoises also have a wider and longer tail which allows for the storing of their sexual organs.

Males are generally bigger tortoises as adults than females.

SHOPPING LIST

SHOPPING LIST

african spurred tortoise eating
African Spurred Tortoise CB21

HEALTH CHECK

Eyes– Eyes should be clear and open wide. Look out for any swollen eye lids or swelling around the eye as this can signify an eye infection which are common in tortoises. Turtle eyes is a great product to treat the eyes with and requires a couple of drops daily to clear the infection. You can also use saline and a cotton pad to gently swab the eyes daily. Separate tortoises which show signs of infection to avoid spreading.

Shell- The shell should be smooth with no chips or signs of pyramiding. Scutes which raise and point at the top are referred to as pyramiding in tortoises and are a sign of MBD (metabolic bone disease) which means that the tortoise has not received enough UVB and calcium + D3. it is important to change your UVB bulb every 6-8 months and dust food with calcium +D3 powder 2-3 times a week. The UVB and D3 work in hand to keep your tortoises shell and bones strong.

Stool– your tortoises stool should be firm and moist. Watery stools are caused by feeding your tortoise too many high water content fruits or vegetables. Encourage hay and dried grass diet with vegetables as a treat– feed leafy greens, Kale and cabbage.

ADVICE FOR LIFE!

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