Sulcata Tortoise Facts

Brandy Fischer

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The Sulcata Tortoise, also known as the African Spurred Tortoise, is ranked as the biggest land roaming tortoise on earth (Diagne, 104). This specific tortoise, due to its exotic nature in size and weight, intrigues many people. Due to this excitement, some like to take them home as pets, and in doing so, there are a few things to keep in mind. Even though Sulcata tortoises are intriguing, one should realize that there is an adjustment period due to being taken from their natural environment, they require specific lighting as a form of nutrition, and daily monitoring is necessary to prevent sickness from going unnoticed.

Source:
Diagne, Tomas. "Spurred Into Action." Geographical 72.6 (2000): 104. Gale
Biography in Context. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.
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Gillian M

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A very warm welcome to the forum! :tort:

And thanks for posting. :)
 

mike taylor

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Welcome ! Don't believe everything you read about sulcatas most is wrong . The Galapagos Tortoises are the largest Tortoises . But stick around I have found that home breeders know why more about our beloved Tortoises than most so called professors in herpetology or the zoologist !
 

Yvonne G

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Hi Brandy, and welcome to the Forum!

I'm afraid you're preaching to the choir. We have many, many active members on here who know quite a bit about Sulcatas. And while I really appreciate Tomas Diagne and his experience, I think you have misinterpreted what he has said about the sulcata and its size. I think what he meant was "Mainland". Because there are two other land tortoise species much bigger than the sulcata, but they both come from islands; the Seychelles and the Galapagos islands.

Another thing I'd like to address from your statement - most of the sulcatas that we take home nowadays are captive bred animals bought from breeders right here in our area. There are laws in place now that prohibit the taking of sulcatas from their homeland.

But good to have you here. do you have tortoises?
 
M

Maggie Cummings

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Welcome ! Don't believe everything you read about sulcatas most is wrong . The Galapagos Tortoises are the largest Tortoises . But stick around I have found that home breeders know why more about our beloved Tortoises than most so called professors in herpetology or the zoologist !

I thought Aldabrans were the largest....then Galops, then Sulcata??????
 

Yvonne G

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Brandy joined Wednesday, made her post at 1:21p, then never came back. I hope we haven't lost her.
 

Tidgy's Dad

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Brandy joined Wednesday, madshe'll know she's e her post at 1:21p, then never came back. I hope we haven't lost her.
Me , too.
I was a bit late here, but at least if Brandy does return it's all very welcoming.
 
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