Pumpkin and watermelon rinds are a good occasional treat. Fruits and vegetables should not be a major component of a sulcata tortoise’s food intake. Many different flowers can be used to add some variety to their diet:Īt least 80% of their daily intake should be from the greens and grasses mentioned above. Ideally, they should receive many different kinds of greens. The same diet should be fed in captivity. In the wild, they eat a variety of grasses and other plants. Some of the largest and oldest Sulcatas have reached weights much greater than 100 pounds.
Males will be slightly larger than females. So sulcata tortoises are in fact the largest of mainland tortoises.Īdult female sulcata tortoises will typically weigh 70 to 90 pounds and measure 24 to 30 inches. They are second only to the Galapagos and Aldabra tortoises, both of which are island tortoises. Sulcata tortoises are the third largest species of tortoise in the world. An adult sulcata is very different from the baby tortoises you started with. However, they will become large tortoises. They are very slow growers and won’t reach their adult size until 15 to 20 years old. Healthy tortoises will reach seven inches at one year old and gain five to ten pounds each year.
Their growth rate will vary greatly based on their diet, enclosure, and environment. How Big Do Sulcata Tortoises Get?Ī baby Sulcata is born at around two inches in size. Personally, I think Sulcata is the more appealing name of them all and probably why it is the most used. Geochelone sulcata was its previous classification before changing to Centrochelys sulcata.Ĭentrochelys is the genus for African tortoises, like sulcatas, and Geochelone is for Asian tortoises. The Sulcata/African Spurred Tortoise scientific classification is Centrochelys sulcata but you may also see it referred to as Geochelone sulcata. Sulcata is from the Latin ‘sulcus’ meaning ‘furrow’, the grooves made by a plow, which the grooves in the Sulcata’s shell resemble. This tortoise species gets the name Sulcata from the deep grooves in their shells. Here’s an explanation of its various names.Īs previously mentioned, they are named African Spurred Tortoises (or Spur Thigh) for the spurs on their thighs. You will see these tortoises referred to by several names. However, there are ivory and albino morphs that are much lighter in color.
SKIN AND BONES THE KEEP THE KEEP ROCK 1995 SKIN
The Sulcata Tortoise’s yellowish skin and tan to brown shell make them easy to spot! It also helps them camouflage in their native sandy desert environment. Need very hot temperatures and a basking spot greater than 100 degrees.Giant size requires a lot of space to roam and graze.Burrowing behaviors can lead to lots of damage in your yard.If you live somewhere warm and have a large yard then this species is a perfect choice for you. The Sulcata is a curious and docile tortoise that makes a great pet – even for households with young children. They can form relationships with their owner, recognize them, and they have unique personalities. Sulcatas are known to be very sociable with their owners.
Southern states like Texas are ideal.īecause of their huge size, adult sulcatas can grow to over 100 pounds, they need to be housed outdoors – remember that they are avid diggers before you set one loose in your backyard! Are Sulcata Tortoises Good Pets? Typically they are solitary pets and thrive in captivity when raised in areas that are hot and dry year-round. This species can live for over 100 years. They make ideal pets for first-time reptile owners who are ready for a lifelong commitment. The Sulcata Tortoise is an extremely popular pet and is known for its immense size, tan and brown shell, and large scales.īefore adopting a baby Sulcata it is best to talk with a local pet store and re-home an adult Sulcata as there is an excess of Sulcatas worldwide. Sulcata tortoises originate from the deserts of Africa.
0 kommentar(er)
