- Scientific Name: Centrochelys sulcata
- Indonesian Name: Kura-Kura Sulcata
- Class: Reptiles
- Order: Testudines
- Country Origins: Northern Africa
Conservation Status
Extinct
Extinct in the Wild
Critically Endangered
Endangered
Vulnerable
Near Threatened
Least Concern
General Information
Habitat:
Sahara Desert and the Sahel, a transitional ecoregion of semiarid grasslands, savannas, and thorn shrublands.
Length:
76cm
Weight:
Up to 200lbs
Diet:
Grasses, flowers, weeds, and cacti
Lifespan:
70 years, 80-100 years in captivity.
African spurred tortoise
Fun Facts
They are the third largest tortoise in the world, and the largest tortoise on the African mainland.
They are very strong animals and can move just about anything that is not nailed down.
They do not hibernate like other species of tortoises.
They are capable of going weeks without food or water. When they do find it, they can consume up to 15% of their body weight.
Sulcata comes from the Latin word sulcus which means ‘furrow’. This refers to the furrows, or deep lines, on their shells.
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