African Spurthigh Tortoise Geochelone sulcata

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African Spur-thigh TortoiseGeochelone sulcata

• Mediator Between God and Man
• by
• Mildred J. Culbreath

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The Basics

• Found in Savannahs and scrub lands of Africa.
• Worlds 3rd largest turtle
• Lengths of up to 3ft.
• Weigh up to 200 lbs.
• Herbivores

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Description

• Caraspace is flattened and oval shaped with a
  brown to yellow color.
• Skin color is golden to dark yellowish brown.
• Possess slightly hooked upper jaw and
  non-protruding snout.

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Behavior

• Very aggressive
• Burrow
• Very active
• Exhibit adaptive behaviors

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A little tale of Reproduction
During reproduction males are very aggressive
towards each other and ram each other repeatedly
often resulting in bloodied heads and limbs.
Copulation for the Sulcata Tortoise can take
place anytime from June to March but most often
occurs during the rainy season. The Raining
Season occurs during the months of September to
November. After copulation the female will swell
with eggs at the same time she decrease her food
intake. The female then becomes restless seeking
out a nesting area. After finding a suitable
nesting area and building the nest. The female
lays one egg every 3 minutes until she is
finished. Females usually lay clutches of 15-30
eggs.
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Observations
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Interesting Facts

• Some African cultures regard the Sulcata as a
  common mediator between man and the Gods. As a
  result the Sulcata tortoise is found in many
  African villages and serves the purpose of
  interceding between the head of the village and
  their Ancestors.
• In Senegal, these tortoises are seen as signs of
  virtues, fertility and longevity.

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Sources
Sulcata Turtoises http//animaldiversity.ummz.umic
h.edu/accounts/geochelone/g._sulcatanarrative.htm
l Wildnet Africa Turtle Power
http//wildnetafrica.co.za/wildlifearticles/africa
nwildlife/1997/turtlepower.html Tortoise Trust
Web Sulcata Tortoises http//www.tortoisetrust.o
rg/care/csulcata.html