Details
Centrochelys sulcata
The African spurred tortoise is a large land tortoise of African savannas and drylands. Diurnal and mostly solitary, it grazes through hot, open country.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses dry grassland, semi-desert, and savanna around the Sahel. Burrows and shade are important refuges from heat and drought.
Shell length is about 60-85 cm and weight about 36-105 kg. A high tan shell, thick forelimbs, and spur-like scales on the hind legs stand out.
It is active by day but rests in burrows or shade during intense heat. Solitary animals adjust feeding time with rain and temperature.
It is herbivorous, eating grasses, shrub leaves, and dry plants. The digestive system handles fibrous food in water-limited environments.
Females dig nests in the ground and lay eggs. Hatchlings are small and grow while hiding in grass or shallow soil cover.
Its status is listed as Endangered. Pet trade pressure and habitat change affect wild populations, making field protection important.
