African spurred tortoise – Janine

Scientific name :

Centrochelys sulcate

Common name :

African spurred tortoise

Native to :

Africa. Less than a 100 years ago, the African spurred tortoise were very common but nowadays because of anthropic activities (urbanisation, wars, human consumption), it is endangered in its natural habitat.

Maximum size :

80 cm

Weight :

100 kg for males, 60 kg for females

Conservation status :

Vulnerable (VU)

Distribution :

Subsaharan Africa, from Senegal to Ethiopia

Reproduction :

these tortoises live in permanently high temperatures, so there is no mating season. Males are active almost all year round, although there is a higher mating activity after the rainy season. Eggs are laid 2 to 3 weeks after mating. Between 20 and 30 round eggs are laid, each one are roughly 45 millimeters. The incubation period lasts 3 to 4 months. Hatching often requires rain or a wet season.

Diet :

plants, roots, carrion

Characteristics :

the African spurred tortoise or sulcata tortoise is the largest tortoise in Africa and the third largest in the world by weight (after the giant tortoises of the Seychelles and the Galápagos). The males have a pronounced Y-shaped fork on the plastron of their shells. It is mainly used during fights with other males.

Location in the Tropical Reserve :

in Gharial Island, next to the Morelet's crocodiles