Sulcata tortoises make unique and rewarding pets. This guide will help you provide the proper care to ensure your pet Sulcata tortoise lives a long, healthy, and happy life.
Also known as the African spurred tortoise, the sulcata tortoise (Stigmochelys sulcata) is one of the largest tortoise species worldwide. It measures between 18 to 30 inches long and weighs between 80 to 150 pounds, records top 300 pounds. The sulcata tortoise has a lifespan of 80 years or more.
They have extremely thick shells that range in color from brown to yellow. You can find pointed scales on their legs, and their skin is yellowish-brown. Although these tortoises originally come from the arid and semi-arid areas of sub-Saharan Africa, they can easily adapt to different living conditions, making them a preferred species for a pet IF you have a large secure yard. Best to not count on someone else providing that like zoos or rescues.
Nevertheless, they might not be ideal as pets since they have specific care requirements and long lifespans. However, if you have the time to care for them and keep them healthy and happy, you will discover that they can be friendly, curious, and fun companions.
Pet Sulcata Tortoise Size
Among tortoises worldwide, the sulcata ranks as the third-largest species. They have an average length of 18 inches and weigh between 70 to 100 pounds. However, they could also grow as large as 300 pounds!
Pet Sulcata Tortoise Temperament and Behavior
These ‘Testudo’ tortoises which stay smaller are often a more suitable species for pets.
Like other tortoises, sulcata tortoises can grow large and become slower. Their curiosity can sometimes be a disadvantage. For instance, they could get stuck in small spaces and have a hard time getting out. Alterantivly, they can knock down fences and disrupt flower beds.
They might flip themselves over and won’t be able to get back up on their own. However, as pets, they can be gentle and pleasant, and it’s not rare for them to be territorial or aggressive. Keep in mind that you should not handle them regularly, especially when they are younger and more fragile. Too much handling can lead to stress and other health issues, or, in the worst cases, it could cause premature death.
Pet Sulcata Tortoise: Housing
Large tortoise species, such as the sulcata, require spacious indoor or outdoor enclosures. An outdoor enclosure must have a sturdy fence approximately 2 feet tall. Since they like to burrow, an alternate ‘hide’ should be provided that they can use. Some individuals may still dig a burrow. To keep them protected from the elements, It’s a good idea to build a small shed or a doghouse. Be sure to include a muddy wallow where they can defecate and soak.
Because of their huge size, it is not practical to keep them indoors. However, if you live in a region with a colder climate, be sure to provide them with a warm space. A greenhouse or a heated shed would be suitable for them when it is cool outside. If you want to bring your sulcata inside your house, be sure to allocate a room for them.
Heat
A large ‘sulcata’.
To keep them healthy and active, sulcata tortoises require hot temperatures. Although temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher are fine when they are placed outdoors, they need a shady area to cool off. However, during the night when the temperature drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, you have to provide them with supplemental heat.
If you place your tortoise in a shed, greenhouse, or room, you have to maintain a temperature of around 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the daytime. When accompanied by a basking lamp, the temperature can reach around 95 degrees Fahrenheit under that heat source.
During the nighttime, temperatures can range between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, which is fine. Avoid getting the enclosure extremely cold since your tortoise might stop eating and become more vulnerable to illnesses such as pneumonia.
Substrate Needs
A baby leopard tortoise, very similar to sulcata in many ways other than maximum adult size, and they are not burrowers.
Most often, a substrate is used at the bottom of the enclosure. For sulcata tortoises, the most suitable material for the substrate is a combination of soil and sand. This mixture is warm, allows the tortoise to dig, and is environmentally sustainable.
Humidity
The recommended humidity level for sulcata tortoises is around 40 to 60 percent while not in their burrow, while hatchlings require more humidity. Using a hygrometer can help you measure the humidity and make adjustments as needed.
Extremely high humidity can cause fungal infections and other health problems such as respiratory disease. If you want to increase the humidity, you can simply mist the tortoise’s enclosure. It’s also fine to soak your tortoise in a warm bath to help with hydration and humidity. for baby’s provide alternate hides, one with higher humidity created with sphagnum moss or other moisture holding substrate.
Light
If you keep your tortoise in an outdoor enclosure, it does not require any special light aside from the sun. Otherwise, if you keep them indoors, it is essential to provide UVA/UVB light since they can’t obtain unfiltered sunlight. Sufficient light helps them stay healthy, prevents disease, and promotes strong bone growth.
Be sure to place the light near your tortoise so they can benefit from it. When installing the light, follow the product instructions. Check if the bulb requires replacement from time to time since it might stop producing UVB even if the light is still on.
Food
Since these tortoises are herbivorous, they require a high-fiber, low-protein diet. Feed them different types of grasses and hays, accompanied by some edible flowers and leafy weeds. Examples of edible plants include cactus pads, endive, clover, and dandelions. It’s also fine to add small amounts of leafy green vegetables.
Although your tortoise will eat weeds and grass throughout the day, you should also provide leafy greens. Avoid using pesticides in their environment and be cautious of the plants growing around them since while in captivity with limited source live plants, they may try inappropriate plants. Ask for recommendations from your veterinarian about the quantity and variety of food since it depends on the health, size, and age of your tortoise. Kapidolo Farms can also offer much guidance on appropriate foods.
Most tortoise owners use calcium powder or a multivitamin product that contains calcium to supplement their foods. Avoid feeding your tortoise only pelleted foods, animal protein, and fruits unless recommended by your veterinarian. Although tortoises obtain hydration from the food they eat, it’s also important to place a water dish in their enclosure. If you never see your tortoise drink from a dish, try offering a small trickle in front of them from a garden hose.
Pet Sulcata Tortoise: Behavior and Health Problems
Keep in mind that the sulcata tortoise (pictured above) is vulnerable to specific medical conditions such as:
- Metabolic Bone Disease: This is a serious illness among tortoises and other reptiles. When their calcium to phosphorus (C:P) ratio is not balanced, it can weaken and soften their bones. If not treated promptly, this could cause deformities and even death. At a minimum most foods should have a 2:1 ratio. Ask Kapidolo Frams to find out how to tell.
- Respiratory Infections: Like other reptiles, sulcata tortoises are vulnerable to respiratory infections, particularly if placed in extremely cold and humid environments.
Depending on the disease, they can be treatable to some extent by a veterinarian who specializes in tortoises and reptiles. Avoid treating your tortoise with home remedies unless advised by your vet or have extensive experience.
Pros & Cons of Caring for a Pet Sulcata Tortoise
Choosing a pet Sulcata tortoise provides many benefits, such as being gentle usually only females), friendly, and easy to care for. They can make good pets for kids when under adult supervision. However, one drawback is their very long lifespan.
As a potential owner, you should be ready for that lifelong commitment if you decide to acquire one as a pet. Additionally, they require optimal humidity and hot environments; otherwise, they might experience respiratory infections.
Kapidolo Farms offers different types of food for tortoises. To learn more about our products, call us at 215-483-7675 or email us at kapidolofarms@gmail.com. KF
