African Spurred Tortoise Care Sheet

By Scott Solar

BABIES!

Generally Accepted Care: African Spurred Tortoises are some of the easiest reptiles to care for. Daily care is to turn on the lights, provide fresh water, feed and clean.

Housing: African Spurred Tortoises should be housed in a terrarium with a locking lid. Similar to a fish tank; reptile terrariums usually have a sliding screen with a locking pin mechanism. Babies may be started in a small tank such as a ten-gallon. Ideally eighty-pound (~22”) adults will be housed out of doors. African Spurred Tortoises are diurnal basking tortoises. They wake up in the morning and absorb the suns’

A BIG ONE!

rays every day. Indoors we must provide an equivalent light to sunlight. It is essential we provide both true UVB and heat lamps. Heat aids in digestion and UVB makes Vitamin D in the skin. Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption. The hot spot provided by the heat lamp should be approximately 120F. The tank must not have a glass lid. Glass absorbs UVB and would defeat our purpose. The recommended bedding is either Gentle Touch kitty litter or rabbit pellets.

TWO YEARS OLD!

Feeding: From birth to old age African Spurred Tortoises are strict vegetarians. Dark leafy greens from the grocer are acceptable. Grass clippings from the yard are wonderful food. Avoid fruits, iceberg lettuce, head cabbages, Marathon grass and St. Augustine grass. These are devoid of nutrients. A powdered calcium supplement should be sprinkled lightly on the food two to three times per week. Provide water by soaking babies and in water bowls and/or showers for larger specimens.

Cleaning: African Spurred Tortoises graze every day and they also defecate daily. The feces’ odor is reminiscent of horse manure and should be removed completely every day. Bedding is replaced as needed. Clean the entire cage occasionally. Glass cleaner is used to clean the glass and a wipe with a damp cloth will remove cleaner residue. The cage is the re-set up with fresh bedding and the furniture replaced.

Handling: Youngsters should be handled sparingly until they are feeding aggressively and regularly. As they grow African Spurred Tortoises may be handled almost freely. Always pay attention to your tortoises’ demeanor. If they seem nervous, scared or flighty then they are getting tired from handling. This will tell you when it is time to put them back into their enclosure.

Environment: African Spurred Tortoises originate in the sub-tropical regions of northern Africa. However, having been bred in captivity for some time African Spurred Tortoises are very tolerant to many different environments. They thrive in the conditions provided in our homes. That is, in which we humans are comfortable. The lighting will satisfy the needs not provided in our homes. If you keep your home very cold then an increase in wattage of the heat lamp may be necessary during the winter months. That said, as long as water is provided, appropriate food is provided, and the cage is kept very clean, your tortoise will thrive and grow quite large. Enjoy your new pet.

Necessary Reading: The General Care and Maintenance of Popular Tortoises; by Philippe de Vosjoli. ISBN 1-882770-37-4

or

The African Spurred Tortoise Geochelone sulcata in Captivity; by Russ Gurley, ISBN# 1-885209-25-8