Sulcata Tortoise
Centrochelys sulcata
The Sulcata Tortoise, also known as the African Spurred Tortoise, is the third-largest tortoise species in the world and the largest mainland tortoise, with adults regularly exceeding 100 pounds and reaching 24 to 30 inches in shell length. Native to the southern edge of the Sahara Desert across the Sahel region of Africa, these impressive chelonians are built for harsh, arid conditions and are powerful diggers that construct deep burrows to escape extreme heat. Sulcatas are herbivores that should be fed a high-fiber diet heavy on grasses, hay, and broadleaf weeds, with limited fruits and high-oxalate vegetables to prevent bladder stones and pyramiding of the shell. Hatchlings are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, which can mislead first-time buyers about their eventual adult size and the outdoor space they will require. In suitable climates, adult Sulcatas need large, securely fenced outdoor yards with access to shelter and shade. Prospective keepers must plan for decades of care and the reality that these tortoises will eventually need far more space than most indoor setups can provide.
Habitat
Sahel region grasslands, scrub, and semi-arid savanna
Diet
Herbivore (grasses, hay, broadleaf weeds, limited vegetables)
Lifespan
70–100+ years
Difficulty
intermediate
Recommended Products
Everything you need to create the perfect habitat for your Sulcata Tortoise.
Accessories
Zoo Med Digital Thermometer Humidity Gauge
A digital thermometer and hygrometer for monitoring indoor enclosure conditions, ensuring your Sulcata Tortoise has the proper warmth and dry environment.
Etekcity Lasergrip 774 Infrared Thermometer
A handheld infrared thermometer for checking basking spot temperatures and thermal gradients across the large enclosure or outdoor yard.
Zoo Med Habba Hut X-Large
A large half-log shelter providing shade and security for a growing Sulcata Tortoise, mimicking the burrow entrances they seek in the wild.
Zoo Med Repti Ramp Bowl X-Large
An extra-large water bowl with a gentle ramp for easy entry, allowing your Sulcata Tortoise to soak and hydrate — a critical daily activity for these desert tortoises.
Enclosures
Zoo Med Wood Tortoise House
A solid wood tortoise table providing open-top ventilation and ample floor space for a juvenile Sulcata Tortoise, though adults will eventually require an outdoor yard.
Waterland Tubs 75 Gallon Reptile Tub
A large waterproof tub suitable for housing a growing juvenile Sulcata indoors with deep substrate for burrowing and a basking zone under overhead lights.
Tuff Stuff Products Stock Tank 100 Gallon
A heavy-duty 100-gallon livestock tank that serves as an excellent large indoor enclosure for juvenile Sulcata Tortoises, providing the deep substrate they love to dig in.
YARDGARD Hardware Cloth 48 Inch x 50 Foot
Heavy-gauge wire mesh fencing essential for building a secure outdoor yard for an adult Sulcata Tortoise, buried at least 12 inches deep to prevent escape by digging.
Food
Zoo Med Grassland Tortoise Food 8.5 oz
A fiber-rich commercial tortoise food formulated with grasses and plants that mimics the natural Sahel region diet of wild Sulcata Tortoises.
Rep-Cal Calcium with Vitamin D3 3.3 oz
An essential calcium supplement for dusting fresh greens and hay, critical for maintaining strong shell growth and preventing metabolic bone disease in Sulcata Tortoises.
Mazuri Tortoise Diet 12 oz
A commercially formulated tortoise pellet that supplements the grass and hay diet with balanced vitamins and minerals for optimal Sulcata Tortoise health.
Oxbow Western Timothy Hay 15 oz
A high-fiber timothy hay that should make up the bulk of a Sulcata Tortoise's diet, promoting healthy digestion and preventing the shell pyramiding caused by protein-rich diets.
Heating
Philips 100W PAR38 Halogen Flood Light
A strong halogen flood bulb that creates a 95–100°F basking hotspot for your Sulcata Tortoise, essential for digestion of their high-fiber grass and hay diet.
Zoo Med Repti Basking Spot Lamp 100W
A focused basking bulb that produces concentrated heat for Sulcata Tortoises to warm their heavy shells and reach optimal body temperature for digestion.
Fluker's Ceramic Heat Emitter 150W
A high-wattage lightless heat source for maintaining safe nighttime temperatures above 65°F in large indoor Sulcata enclosures during winter months.
Herpstat 1 Spyder Robotics Thermostat
A professional proportional thermostat for safely controlling the high-wattage heating required in a large Sulcata Tortoise indoor setup.
Lighting
Arcadia T5 HO Dragon 14% UVB Kit 34 Inch
A high-output desert-rated UVB kit essential for indoor Sulcata Tortoises, providing the intense ultraviolet radiation these sun-loving tortoises require for shell and bone health.
VIVOSUN 24 Hour Heavy Duty Mechanical Timer
A heavy-duty timer rated for high-wattage mercury vapor and basking bulbs, maintaining the 12–14 hour photoperiod that mimics the natural sunlight Sulcatas need.
Zoo Med ReptiSun T5 HO 10.0 UVB 34 Inch
A long 10.0 UVB tube that covers a wide basking area in a large indoor Sulcata setup, ensuring consistent UV exposure across the enclosure.
Zoo Med PowerSun UV 160W Mercury Vapor Bulb
A powerful self-ballasted mercury vapor bulb combining intense UVB and heat in a single fixture, ideal for large indoor Sulcata enclosures where strong UV is critical.
Substrate
Timberline Top Soil 40lb
Additive-free organic topsoil that forms the base of a proper Sulcata substrate mix, providing a natural digging medium when blended with coconut fiber.
Oxbow Orchard Grass Hay 15 oz
Clean orchard grass hay that serves double duty as both a substrate cover and a dietary staple, encouraging natural grazing behavior in Sulcata Tortoises.
Zoo Med Eco Earth Compressed Coconut Fiber 3-Pack
An absorbent coconut coir substrate that can be mixed with topsoil for a deep, diggable floor layer juvenile Sulcata Tortoises enjoy burrowing in.
Zoo Med Forest Floor Cypress Mulch 24 Quart
A natural cypress mulch that provides a comfortable walking surface and retains moderate moisture for an indoor Sulcata Tortoise while resisting mold.