The African spurred tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata), also known as the sulcata tortoise, is an endangered species native to the Sahara Desert and the Sahel region of Africa. They are known for their impressive size and unique appearance, making them a sought-after pet. Understanding their growth patterns is essential for providing proper care and ensuring their well-being.
African Spurred Tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata)
Description and Habitat
The African spurred tortoise has distinctive, highly domed carapaces and large, heavily scaled limbs, which help protect them in their natural habitat. The sulcata tortoise is native to the Sahara Desert and the Sahel, a transitional eco-region of semi-arid grasslands, savannas, and thorn shrublands found in countries such as Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Yemen.
They are found on hills, stable dunes, and flat areas with shrubs and high grass. They also like to settle in areas with interrupted streams or rivers. In these arid regions, the tortoise excavates burrows in the ground to get to areas with higher moisture levels, and spends the hottest part of the day in these burrows. This is known as aestivation.
Size and Weight
The African spurred tortoise is the largest mainland species of tortoise in Africa, and the third-largest in the world. The species is the largest of the mainland tortoises. Adult sizes can vary, with males typically being larger. Males have an average mass of about 81 kg, but some males have been recorded at over 100 kg, with one weighing more than 120 kg. They have a straight carapace length of around 86.0 cm in males.
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Females have a straight carapace length of about 57.8 cm. Males of a curved carapace length of about 101.0 cm and females have approximately 67.0 cm of curved carapace length. Despite being the largest tortoise in Africa, hatchlings measure merely about 44 millimeters and weigh around 40 grams. They grow very quickly, reaching 6-10 in (15-25 cm) within the first few years of their lives. The tortoises grow faster when there is more rainfall and slower when there is less.
On average, adult Sulcatas measure between 24-32 inches in length and weigh between 80-120 pounds. However, some individuals exceed these estimates.
Growth Stages
Sulcata tortoises go through four stages of growth: hatchling, juvenile, subadult, and adult. Hatchlings typically grow very quickly within the first few years of their lives. They reach sexual maturity after 10 to 15 years. Interestingly, tortoises grow faster when there is more rainfall. Additionally, higher rainfall often leads to more favorable temperatures and humidity levels, creating an optimal environment for tortoises to thrive.
When Sulcata tortoises first hatch, they are pretty tiny, around 2-3 inches long. But it doesn’t take long for them to reach an impressive size. On average, the tortoises reach their full size and stop growing in length by the time they are around 15 years old. Your Sulcata tortoise’s growth rate is more or less split into two phases. First, you can expect substantial increases in length and weight during the hatchling and juvenile stages. The tortoises then hit their subadult phase, which typically spans from 7 to 15 years of age.
The table below gives an estimate of the expected growth rate of a Sulcata tortoise, but this should only be used as a guide.
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How Quickly Does A Tortoise Grow? (kamp kenan)
| Age | Approximate Length | Approximate Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Hatchling (0-1 year) | 2-4 inches | Under 1 pound |
| Juvenile (1-5 years) | 6-12 inches | 1-10 pounds |
| Subadult (5-10 years) | 12-20 inches | 10-40 pounds |
| Adult (10+ years) | 24-32 inches | 80-120+ pounds |
The size of a Sulcata tortoise depends on various factors. Some tortoises may have genetic traits predisposing them to larger sizes, while others may naturally remain smaller. What you feed your Sulcata tortoise will also determine how big they will get. Inadequate or improper nutrition can lead to stunted growth or other health issues.
Sulcata Tortoise Diet
Diet and Nutrition
Sulcata tortoises require a high-fiber, grass-based diet. Approximately 80% of their daily intake should consist of a mixture of grasses, edible weeds, herbs, and other plants, with the remaining 20% being vegetables. It is best to avoid fruit, as their digestive system is not suited for it. Some keepers find that supplemental diets such as Mazuri Low Starch Tortoise Food or ZooMed Grassland Tortoise Food help ensure proper nutrition. These diets should be offered in addition to the regular diet options listed above.
Fresh drinking water must be provided daily. For a single adult sulcata, it’s often best to have multiple water sources available throughout the enclosure.
Sulcata tortoises are mostly herbivores. Primarily, their diets consist of many types of grasses, plants (especially succulent plants), and hay. Their overall diet should be high in fiber and very low in protein. Too much protein will lead to the tortoise growing too fast, which can result in metabolic bone disease, a condition that is characterized by distortion of the skeleton and weakened bone structure and can lead to lameness, lower quality of life, and/or shortened lifespan. Flowers and other plants including cactus pads can be consumed. In the wild, they have been observed to also eat plants and algae off the surface of the water.
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Care and Husbandry
Sulcata tortoises need a tremendous amount of room to roam and graze. Using the traditional “adult tortoise enclosure size” formula-10 times the carapace length for the enclosure’s length, 5 times the carapace length for the width, and 3 times the carapace length for the height-the absolute minimum enclosure size for the average single adult Sulcata tortoise would be 24 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 4 feet tall.
Sulcata tortoises are ectothermic. This means that their environment regulates their body temperature. Therefore, provide a temperature gradient within their habitat, allowing them to move between warmer and cooler areas as needed. Again, appropriate lighting is essential for Sulcata tortoises as it affects their health and behavior. They also require UVA and UVB light access to synthesize vitamin D3, which aids in calcium absorption and shell development.
Sulcatas enjoy burrowing and are very good at doing so. When placing fencing, keep in mind that sulcatas will dig/burrow and could dig out of their enclosure. Sulcatas need to be kept dry. A shallow water bowl, with sides low enough for the tortoise to reach into, should be available at all times if there is no wallow available. Tortoises do not swim and can drown easily.
Sexual Dimorphism
Sulcata tortoises are sexually dimorphic, with males being typically larger than females. This difference in size is primarily attributed to sexual maturity and breeding requirements. In their natural environment, male tortoises need to be larger to edge out other male competitors and establish dominance during mating. On the other hand, female tortoises have smaller sizes as their reproductive role primarily involves producing eggs and caring for their offspring.
Health and Lifespan
A tortoise’s overall health can influence their growth and size. Create a regular veterinary check-up schedule and adhere to proper healthcare practices. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for the overall well-being and longevity of your Sulcata tortoises. An appropriate diet plays a significant role in managing weight and preventing health issues associated with obesity or malnutrition.
Determining the typical lifespan of this species in captivity has been challenging due to many Sulcatas in the pet trade receiving inadequate husbandry. However, with proper care, Sulcata tortoises are estimated to live an average of 55-75 years.
Conservation Status
C. sulcata is currently ranked as an endangered species. Studies suggest that African spurred tortoises exist in approximately 16.7% of the area where they had previously been found. These studies also show an average of 1-5 tortoises per site canvassed which indicates a rapid decline of the species. The species faces threats from livestock as they have to compete for resources. The main source of resource competition African spurred tortoises face is from cattle which also graze on grass. According to the CITES database, 9,132 African spurred tortoises were taken from the wild for the pet trade between 1990-2010.
