Sulcata Tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata)

Common Name: African Spurred Tortoise
Scientific Name: Centrochelys sulcata
Source (Captive bred / Wild caught / Farm bred / Unknown): CB25

Adult Size: Typically 60-80 cm shell length
Native Range: Sub-Saharan Africa (Sahel region)

Enclosure: Large, secure indoor pen for juveniles; substantial outdoor enclosure required for adults with deep substrate for digging
Heating: Basking area 35-40 °C / Ambient 24-30 °C / Night drop 18-22 °C

Humidity: Generally dry 30-50 % with good airflow; avoid damp conditions

UVB: High-output UVB lighting

Diet: High-fibre grasses and leafy weeds daily; limited vegetables; calcium supplementation

Water: Fresh water available at all times; shallow soaking dish for juveniles

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

The African Spurred Tortoise is the 3rd Largest Tortoise species, native to the arid Sahel belt below the Sahara. Adults develop a heavy, domed shell with pronounced growth rings and distinctive spurs on the hind legs, from which the common name is derived. Colouration is typically sandy brown to golden, blending with dry grassland habitats.

In the wild, this species is known for digging extensive burrows to escape extreme heat and cold, a behaviour that continues in captivity where deep substrate and secure boundaries are important. It is a robust, fast-growing tortoise that requires significant long-term space planning. With the correct dry, well-ventilated environment and a fibre-rich diet, it becomes a hardy and long-lived species suited to keepers prepared for its eventual size.