Sulcata Tortoise

Also known as the African Spurred Tortoise

Centrochelys sulcata

by Sarah Grannis Stewart

June 19, 2024

History

This species was first described as “Testudo sulcata” by English illustrator John Frederick Miller in 1779. The specific portion (“sulcata”) of its original binomial name is derived from the Latin word sulcus, meaning “furrow” and referring to the furrowed scale grooves on the tortoise’s carapace.

Native Range

The sulcata tortoise is native to Africa’s Sahara Desert and Sahel region. It traditionally inhabits semiarid grasslands, savannas, and thorn shrublands across countries such as Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Yemen.

A recent study from 2022 indicated that wild populations of the sulcata tortoise are at risk due to climate change, and conservation efforts are strongly recommended across its range.

Average Adult Size

The Sulcata tortoise is the largest African mainland tortoise species and the third-largest tortoise species worldwide (following the Galapagos tortoise and the Aldabra giant tortoise).

Adult sizes can vary, with males typically being larger. On average, adult Sulcatas measure between 24-32 inches in length and weigh between 80-120 pounds. However, some individuals exceed these estimates. The largest recorded Sulcata, a male at the Giza Zoological Gardens in Egypt, measured 41.6 inches over his carapace and weighed 232 pounds.

Enclosure

Using the traditional “adult tortoise enclosure size” formula—10 times the carapace length for the enclosure’s length, 5 times the carapace length for the width, and 3 times the carapace length for the height—the absolute minimum enclosure size for the average single adult Sulcata tortoise would be 24 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 4 feet tall.

While some people may successfully house multiple Sulcatas together, Badgerland Reptile Rescue advises against this for most tortoise keepers. Housing a male and female together will result in frequent breeding, which often stresses the female. Additionally, many male Sulcatas can be territorial towards other males. If multiple Sulcatas are kept together, the enclosure size must be increased, and additional sources of food, shelter, and basking spots must be provided to prevent resource aggression.

For Sulcatas kept outdoors, shelter should be provided for the tortoise to escape the elements (such as rain or intense sun). Additionally, their outdoor enclosure must be secure and “Sulcata-proof”, as these tortoises will investigate their surroundings.

In both indoor and outdoor enclosures, the substrate should allow Sulcatas to dig, as this is a natural behavior for them. We often recommend a mixture of organic topsoil, play sand, coconut fiber, and cypress mulch. Ideally, adult Sulcatas should have access to a minimum substrate depth of 12-16 inches to encourage digging, though deeper is certainly appreciated!

Heating, Lighting & Humidity

Heating

For indoor Sulcatas, we recommend maintaining a basking spot temperature of 100-105° Fahrenheit and an ambient temperature gradient of 76 to 88° throughout the enclosure.

Night-time temperatures can typically be at room temperature, but for younger Sulcatas, it’s best to maintain night-time temperatures around 70°.

For outdoor Sulcatas, if night-time temperatures drop below 60°, it’s advisable to provide a heat source inside their shelter.

Please note that a reliable thermostat must always be used with any heat source!

Lighting

When kept indoors, Sulcata tortoises require UVB, supplemental, and basking lights to be on for 12-14 hours each day.

We recommend the following UVB lights:

• Arcadia Desert 12%
• Arcadia Dragon 14%
• ZooMed ReptiSun 10.0
• Zilla Desert 50

Additionally, we recommend using a 6500K LED grow light to replicate sunlight in indoor enclosures. However, please note that these lights are not a substitute for UVB lighting. LED grow lights can also benefit any live plants in the enclosure.

Humidity

In the wild, Sulcatas are typically born during the rainy season, resulting in a higher humidity need for younger tortoises. Hatchlings and juveniles generally require a minimum of 80% humidity in their enclosure. Adults Sulcatas are more resilient, and as they mature, humidity levels can range between 50-90%, as long as the ambient temperature is at least 80° Fahrenheit..

Diet and Water

Sulcata tortoises require a high-fiber, grass-based diet. Approximately 80% of their daily intake should consist of a mixture of grasses, edible weeds, herbs, and other plants, with the remaining 20% being vegetables. It is best to avoid fruit, as their digestive system is not suited for it. While variety is beneficial, the single most important aspect is allowing Sulcatas to graze throughout the day.

We recommend the following foods:

Some keepers find that supplemental diets such as Mazuri Low Starch Tortoise Food or ZooMed Grassland Tortoise Food help ensure proper nutrition. These diets should be offered in addition to the regular diet options listed above. Additionally, cuttlebone is a great supplement, providing extra calcium.

Fresh drinking water must be provided daily. For a single adult sulcata, it’s often best to have multiple water sources available throughout the enclosure. Large planting saucers or plastic trays can make excellent water dishes for this species.

Average Lifespan

Determining the typical lifespan of this species in captivity has been challenging due to many Sulcatas in the pet trade receiving inadequate husbandry. However, with proper care, Sulcata tortoises are estimated to live an average of 55-75 years. There have also been reports of some individual tortoises living over 100 years.

Signs of a Healthy Animal

• Visibly alert and responding to stimuli in its environment
• Bright, clear eyes with no sign of discharge
• Dry, clear nostrils with no sign of discharge
• Beak should not appear overgrown
• No signs of obvious injury or sores
• No ticks or mites present
• Shell should be smooth, feel firm to the touch and have no obvious bumps or signs of injury.
• Active and able to walk, with normal muscle tone.

Sources

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“Basic Care: Sulcata Tortoise.” Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital, 1 Nov. 2013, azeah.com/tortoises-turtles/basic-care-sulcata-tortoise.

“The Best Way to Raise a Sulcata, Leopard, or Star Tortoise.” Tortoise Forum, 18 Apr. 2020, tortoiseforum.org/threads/the-best-way-to-raise-a-sulcata-leopard-or-star-tortoise.181497/.

Healey, Mariah. “Sulcata Tortoise Care Sheet.” ReptiFiles®, 23 Jan. 2024, reptifiles.com/sulcata-tortoise-care-sheet/.

Heinrich, Mark L., and Kaleb K. Heinrich. “Effect of supplemental heat in captive African leopard tortoises (Stigmochelys pardalis) and spurred tortoises (CENTROCHELYS sulcata) on growth rate and carapacial scute pyramiding.” Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine, vol. 25, no. 1, Jan. 2016, pp. 18–25, https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jepm.2015.12.005.

Horton, Susan. “Diet for Sulcata Tortoises.” Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital, www.exoticpetvet.com/diet-for-sulcata-tortoises.html.

“Just Get a Sulcata Tortoise? Here’s How to Care for It.” American Tortoise Rescue, 26 May 2017, www.tortoise.com/blog/just-get-a-sulcata-tortoise-heres-how-to-care-for_it.

Kaplan, Melissa. “Sulcata Tortoises.” Melissa Kaplan’s Herp Care Collection, 1996, www.anapsid.org/sulcata.html.

Keat, Samantha. “Sulcatas.” Avian and Exotic Veterinary Care, www.avianexoticvetcare.com/handouts/reptiles/sulcatas.pdf.

Luiselli, Luca, et al. “A short review of the international trade of wild tortoises and freshwater turtles across the world and throughout two decades.” Chelonian Conservation and Biology, vol. 15, no. 2, Dec. 2016, pp. 167–172, https://doi.org/10.2744/ccb-1216.1.

McGovern, Pearson, and Luca Luiselli. “Knowledge gaps and conservation priorities for West African chelonians.” Amphibia-Reptilia, vol. 44, no. 2, 24 Apr. 2023, pp. 121–137, https://doi.org/10.1163/15685381-bja10137.

Mede, Erica. “Sulcata Care.” Edited by Susan Horton, Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital, www.exoticpetvet.com/sulcata-care.html.

Stewart, Tyler. “Sulcata Tortoise Care Sheet.” Reptiles Magazine, 30 Nov. 2011, reptilesmagazine.com/sulcata-tortoise-care-sheet/.

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“Sulcata Care Information.” Tortoise Acres Rescue & Sanctuary, www.tortoiseacres.com/sulcata-care-info.