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- Sulcata Tortoise: Also known as African Spur Thigh Tortoise
- Land Tortoise: Sulcatas are the third largest land tortoise on earth.
- Hibernation: Sulcatas do not hibernate.
- Housing: Coming from a temperate climate, Sulcatas need warmth.
- Diet: Sulcatas are strict vegetarians and need grass in their diet.
- Growth: Sulcatas are very fast-growing and can grow to 150 pounds.
- Demeanor: Sulcatas are very docile with humans, if they get human contact.
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A Sulcata Tortoise, also known as an African Spur Thigh Tortoise (Geochelone Sulcata), is the third largest land tortoise, only smaller than the Aldabra Tortoise of the Seychelle Islands or the Galapagos Tortoise.
At birth, the Sulcata hatches from an egg only slightly larger than a ping-pong ball. Within its lifetime, a pet Sulcata tortoise can grow to be 150 pounds, 3 feet across, and live up to 80 years or more. It's important to know this before choosing a Sulcata as a pet. They are charming and funny, but will eventually be huge and most likely outlive you. It is not uncommon for Sulcata owners to make provisions for them in their wills.
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Common Pet or Not?
Sulcatas are popular throughout the United States, but it is easier to care for them in more temperate climates. Indigenous to the warm Northern Sahara Desert, they do not hibernate. Their body temperature needs to remain at 65 degrees at the absolute minimum, so proper heating is essential in their housing in colder climates.Baby sulcatas are readily available, especially from breeders who can be found on the Internet. Most pet stores do not carry them because they grow so quickly. These land tortoises are herbivores or vegetarians. Infant Sulcatas are absolutely precious.
In the African deserts, these creatures are hunted by African tribesmen for their "bush meat." Their large shells used as bowls and for other products. It is primarily in the United States that they are cherished as pets.
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Habitat Space
A Sulcata is not a pet to be kept in a container such as an aquarium tank. It will need plenty of room, especially as it grows into its seventh year or so. The more room your pet Sulcata Tortoise has to move, the healthier it will remain. It may also grow more quickly than a tortoise confined to a small space, because of the exercise.
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Sulcata Family Photo
This is a family photo, illustrating the radical difference in sizes between baby Sulcata and adult Sulcata Tortoises.
The babies in front are two different "clutches" of eggs - some of them newborns, some of them one-year-olds. The mother, on the left, is 30 years old and weighs about 80 pounds. The father is 28 years old and weighs about 100 pounds.
This photo is courtesy of The Reptile Family, who are the owners of all these beautiful Sulcata tortoises.
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Infant Sulcata
A baby Sulcata Tortoise samples his first little bits of lettuce. This is one of the newborns in the photo above.
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This is a stock photo of an African Sulcata Tortoise that I had for a pet for 5 years. I ended up selling to a farm... http://bit.ly/3k3DoP
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