Back to Reptiles & Amphibians                                 

African Spurred Tortoise
Scientific Name: Geochelone sulcata

Also called "African Spur-Thighed Tortoises," these turtles are native to the southern edge of the Sahara Desert in northern Africa. They are the third largest tortoise species in the world-growing to weigh over 240lbs with a length of over 2.5 feet.

Named for the two to three large spurs growing on their thighs, African spurred tortoises are generally tan to brown in color. They are burrowing animals, and they spend the hottest parts of their days resting underground.

Fun Facts:
  • African spurred tortoises are able to fast for several weeks without food or water.
  • When the heat of the Sahara Desert becomes too intense for them, African spurred tortoises coat themselves in mud in order to cool down.
  • Their thick, armored skin also protects them from moisture loss.
  • Many other species of desert animals depend on African spurred tortoises for their survival. These desert dwellers make their nests in the tortoises' abandoned, underground burrows.
Back to Reptiles & Amphibians