Reptile Information

Pet Reptiles Home

The sulcata tortoise is an african species that is now being sold in North America as a pet. It is one of the three largest tortoises, growing to 2 to 2 1/2 feet in length, and often weighing 100 to 200 pounds when full grown.

It's correct latin name is Geochelone sulcata. They are properly referred to as the African Spurred Tortoise. This has lead to confusion with the North Africa Spur Thigh Tortoise. To make things simpler, the sulcata is now often simply called the sulcata tortoise, while the other (Testudo graeca) is properly called the Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise.

Given the size they grow to, it is preferable to be able to keep them outdoors. They will quickly outgrow all but the largest of indoor enclosures. They also like to graze, and burrow into the ground - conditions which are a little difficult (but not impossible) to set up indoors.

Females can be kept together, but with only one male. Males may fight with each other. Be careful about keeping them together, or you may be overrun with them! Females lay 15 to 20 eggs at a time, and they are easy to breed in captivity.

If you are considering getting one, make sure you are aware of the space requirements. For many people, a smaller tortoise or turtle is a more practical alternative.

Recommended Reading

Melissa Kaplan has an excellent article about the Sulcata Tortoise at her website. This is highly recommened reading for anyone who has one, or is thinking of getting one.

The Tortoise Trust is the world's largest tortoise and turtle orgnaization. Here you will find an informative care sheet on the Sulcata Tortoise.

I have not read this book, but some people recommended it highly (some others have given it poor reviews, however). Written by Richard C. Paull, it is specifically about the Sulcata Tortoise, and is available from Amazon.com : The Great African Spur-Thighed or Sulcata Tortoise.

A more general tortoise guide is The Complete Idiot's Guide to Turtles & Tortoises, also available from Amazon. It is a good reference guide, but contains only two and a half pages about the sulcata itself.