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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)

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.

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. African Spurred Tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata)

    U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

    government

    CITES Appendix II; threats.

    Published: 2020-01-01