The African Spurred or Geochelone Sulcata is well known as the third largest tortoise in the world, only to be surpassed in size by the giant Galapagos and Aldabra. The Sulcata would be found living in dry desert-like conditions from North-Central Africa to Ethiopia. Due to their natural hot arid environment they much prefer hot temperatures.

Shell

The shell of the Sulcata  is extremely thick and strong and seems to variy from a sandy tan to dark brown in colour. The Carapace (top shell) is rather flat compared to that of the leopard or Galapagos with grooved seams marking each scute. (Sulcata means grooved). The plastron (underneith shell) is very pale yellow in colour and features the gular which is a fork like shape towards the front of the plastron. These gulars are used typically by males to warn off preditors and fight with male sulcatas in nature. SizeAn adult Sulcata will require a large indoor and outdoor pen. The are extremely strong tortoises which is capable of moving furniture within the home. Therefore a sturdy garden fence will be required. These tortoises can weigh up to 5 stone or more as adults. They are extremely heavy to carry and require large amounts of food to stay active and healthy.DietAs mentioned above they eat a lot!. I beleive a natural diet as possible has to be best. Fruits should be given very sparingly if at all due to the high sugar content. Tortoises can not burn the fat off easily and Sulcata inparticular show difficulties in digesting fruits which can result in an upset tummy. Always provide drinking water even if you have never seen your tortoise drink before.  An ideal diet for the sulcata is as follows:

• grasses
• hay
• clover
• dandelion flower and leaves
• lettuce
• kale
• carrot
• alfalfa hay
• rose petals

These giants require a dry and warm environment. A combination heat and UV A & B is essential for tortoises to thrive in captivity. The Tortoise Lady uses the Real Sun advanced UV Heat self ballasted mercury vapour lamps. Tortoises which are not exposed to UVB emissions or exposed to natural sunlight   are a a high risk of developing metobolic bone disease. This condition leaves tortoises with very soft shells and abnormal growth rates which can also be life threatening.  The bulb should be situated at least 12" above your young tortoise and should be replaced at least once a year. Please click on Nutrition section for further informtaion on diet and vitamin D3.Tortoise Tables are best suited to the Sulcata tortoises rather than vivarium style tanks. Always take care when providing substrate for the tortoise enclosure and never use calci sand as this will dehydrate your tortoise quickly which may result in death. A sand or sand and peat mix or Tortoise Life Substrate as used by the tortoise lady is best. Always provide the UV and heat at one end of the table to ensure a basking area and a cooler area for your tortoise to escape to out of the heat. The UV lamp should simulate the natural sunlight therefore switched off at night and temperate should drop as it would naturally in the wild. It is important to provide decorations for your pet so he doesnt become too fed up. he does need excersize so take him out of the table daily and let him roam in the garden or house. The Tortoise Lady sells a number of plant decorations, rocks, branches, habba huts, caves and many other decorations for your tortoise environment.

As your tortoise grows you will need to consider larger living quarters such as a water tight greenhouse or brick outbuilding for the winter moths which needs to be kept at temperatures such as: day time up to 28-32°C and night time no lower than 18°C.

These tortoise are lovely, you will receive great enjoyment out of the Giant Sulcata but you must remember they may be very cute as babies, but these will grow large and can weigh up to 4 stone and be warned you will encounter very high electricity bills and food bills when weeds are not in abundance. Please choose the right tortoise for your home.