Care sheet

Sulcata Tortoise

Centrochelys sulcata

Also known as: African Spurred Tortoise

Testudinidae · Testudines

AdvancedCITES IIIUCN VU

Activity: ☀️ Diurnal
Temperament: Hands-off
Adult length: 24–34 in
Adult weight: 30000–91000 g
Lifespan (captivity): 30–70 yrs
Native range: Sahel belt of Africa (Senegal and Mauritania east to Sudan and Eritrea)

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Care guide

Overview

Sulcata Tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata) — the third-largest tortoise; adults reach 30-90+ kg and require a large, heated outdoor space. Hardy but absolutely not a beginner animal because of the space and lifespan commitment (50+ years). A strict grazer: high-fiber grasses and hay, minimal fruit or protein. Sulcatas do not hibernate — they aestivate in burrows but must be kept warm.

Environment

Climate

Cool side

68–80 °F

Warm side

80–90 °F

Basking spot

95–100 °F

Nighttime

70–80 °F

Humidity (ambient)

40–60%

Shed-cycle boost

70–80%

Environment

UVB lighting

Required?

Yes — provide UVB

Fixture type

T5 HO

Replacement interval

Every 6 months

Housing

Enclosure

Orientation

Terrestrial

Bioactive setup

Not ideal

Minimum size by life stage

HatchlingNot specified
JuvenileNot specified
AdultLarge heated OUTDOOR enclosure with shelter; not a tank animal. Bury fencing 12-24 in (tunneler).

Housing

Substrate

Safe options

grass/haynatural earth (outdoors)soil/sand dig areas

Avoid

rabbit/alfalfa pelletshigh-protein beddingcedarpine

Nutrition

Diet & feeding

Dietary type

Herbivore

Feeding frequency by life stage

AdultFree-choice grazing / daily; maximize outdoor grazing

Supplementation

Phosphorus-free calcium (adults ~2x/week, juveniles ~4x/week, hatchlings daily). 75-80% grass & hay; minimal fruit.

Care

Water & behavior

Water

Shallow water pan always available.

Soaking behavior

Weekly soaking recommended, especially for juveniles/hatchlings.

Legal & ecology

Conservation

CITES

Appendix II

IUCN Red List

VU · Vulnerable

Wild populations

CITES Appendix II. IUCN official Red List = Vulnerable (1996, dated); the IUCN/TFTSG provisional 2013 reassessment lists it as Endangered. Does NOT hibernate — keep warm year-round.

Citations

Sources

Every husbandry parameter on this page is backed by the references below. Click through to read the originals.

Sulcata Care (Centrochelys sulcata)
Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital (Mede CVT, Horton DVM)
veterinary
Enclosure, temps 80s / basking 95F, humidity 40-60 day / 70-80 night, UVB, grass/hay diet, no hibernation, CITES II.
Published: 2019-01-01
Centrochelys sulcata — African Spurred Tortoise (Chelonian Research Monographs 5)
IUCN/SSC Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group
academic
Size (SCL to 86 cm, mass 45-91 kg, record >120 kg), range, VU vs EN status discrepancy.
Published: 2020-01-01
African Spurred Tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata)
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
government
CITES Appendix II; threats.
Published: 2020-01-01