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Sulcata Tortoise care and captive maintenance - BIG BULLDOZERS!

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Sulcata Tortoise care and captive maintenance - BIG BULLDOZERS!

 

Sulcata Tortoise or African Spur Thighed Tortoise ( Geochelone sulcata)

Difficulty: Advanced

Updated 3/5/25 by Paul V. Fernandez

Introduction: 

Ask yourself these questions: Have you ever dreamed of owning a lawn-mowing tank? A companion that may live over 100 years, weigh between 80-120 pounds, grow to 24-30 inches long, and follow you around like a dog? Then the Sulcata Tortoise, also known as the African Spur-Thighed Tortoise, could be the perfect pet for you!

Named for their defense mechanism—tucking their thick, armored front legs to protect their face from predators—Sulcatas are fascinating creatures. Hatchlings are small, usually around 2-3 inches in length, but over the course of 15 to 20 years, they grow to become the third-largest tortoise species on the planet. These tortoises are popular in the pet trade, with captive-bred specimens readily available. However, it’s important to note that Sulcata Tortoises are currently listed as Endangered by the IUCN Red List, primarily due to habitat loss in the arid regions of the African Sahara Desert. As ethical reptile keepers, we must be aware of their conservation status and be financially and emotionally committed to providing long-term, high-quality care. If you’re unsure about your ability to provide the necessary space, resources, and care over a lifetime (often 100+ years), this tortoise may not be the right choice. Providing the proper care for a Sulcata Tortoise is a serious, long-term responsibility, and we encourage all potential owners to fully understand the commitment involved.

Requirements (Note: Requirements based off 40 gallon minimum for a baby tortoise; Adults WILL need an outdoor enclosure with proper parameters.)


Housing

Requirements based off 40 gallon minimum for a baby tortoise; Adults WILL need an outdoor enclosure with proper parameters.

To start with a neonatal Sulcata Tortoise, a 40-gallon breeder tank is acceptable for the initial stages, as long as the tortoise isn’t able to break the glass. A better long-term option, however, is to use large "tortoise tubs" or stock water tubs, which provide more space to roam. As your tortoise grows, it will need a larger, custom indoor or outdoor enclosure. Any enclosure should offer ample space to roam, multiple hiding spots, a humid hiding area, and a large, shallow dish for water. Once your tortoise reaches a carapace length of about 4 inches, it’s time to replace the glass with a more durable material to ensure the enclosure can withstand the tortoise’s growing size and strength.

For Sulcata Tortoises of all sizes, especially adults, it’s crucial to remember: “If they can see through it, they’re going to go through it.” Whether indoors or outdoors, everything in their environment needs to be designed with this in mind. Ensure all fences are secure, with no gaps or cracks in gates, and protect anything that could be moved or knocked over. If you don’t think they could move it, there’s a good chance they will. This includes potential hazards like toilets, sheetrock, AC units, and even digging under sheds or damaging foundations. When provided with enough space to explore and dig, the damage to outdoor areas will be minimal, typically limited to a few holes.

Adult Sulcata Tortoises are best kept outdoors in the southern states, where the climate is ideal for their needs. In northern regions, many keepers have adapted by renovating basements or enclosed porches with materials designed for easy cleaning and extra wall protection, as Sulcatas are known to ram through walls. Concrete and Quikrete are excellent building materials for creating secure enclosures. Given their large size and tank-like nature, adult Sulcatas simply cannot be adequately housed in smaller setups.

As is common with their nature, Sulcata Tortoises will dig deep holes and frequently ram into objects. Therefore, it’s essential that everything used for their enclosure or décor is sturdy and secure all around. Additionally, a large pool for soaking is always appreciated by this species, as they enjoy having access to water for hydration and cooling.

DO NOT HOUSE SULCATAS TOGETHER!

Housing Sulcata Tortoises together can be risky, as they are one of the more aggressive tortoise species. These tortoises have evolved to grow impressive gular scutes, which they use in mutual combat to ram or impale their opponents. If these scutes are used in territorial disputes, they can cause serious, even fatal, injuries to one another.

Substrate 

For any size enclosure, we recommend The Dude’s Terra Sahara substrate. Sulcata Tortoises love to dig, so the substrate should be deep enough for them to fully and safely submerge themselves. It's also worth noting that The Dude’s Terra Sahara can be used outdoors as well, providing versatility for different setups.

With their large builds, keeping Sulcata Tortoises can be very challenging. A DIY approach to substrate can also work well for creating a suitable environment. It’s essential that the tortoise's enclosure is well-ventilated, especially since digging and rampaging will create a lot of dust. Proper ventilation helps protect against respiratory issues, which is why choosing the right substrate is crucial, particularly for indoor enclosures.

For neonates, maintaining humidity is key and can be achieved with Spag Moss or by providing a humid hide.


Decor and plants

All decor in the enclosure must be sturdy, as Sulcata Tortoises will move it around or tunnel underneath. They need a few hides for cover to escape the light, and plants and wood pieces not only provide cover but also offer enrichment. For smaller tortoises, hides with large openings, stacked slate pieces, concrete, or log chunks can be used to create effective shelters. For larger tortoises, dog igloos are surprisingly effective. While it may seem funny, they are incredibly sturdy and withstand outdoor elements well.


The Herbivore Plant Pack is an excellent choice for Sulcata Tortoises, as all the plants are edible, and the Terra Sahara substrate promotes healthy plant growth. We always recommend setting up the enclosure before introducing the tortoise so that the plants can be quarantined and properly established before they are devoured or trampled. For larger outdoor or indoor enclosures, you can also try adding larger arid shrubs, such as established Hibiscus, to provide additional enrichment and food sources.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhqCxEgwD3A 


Lighting 

Sulcata Tortoises are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. They require a bright, desert-like basking spot with UVB to thrive. The amount of UVB needed will depend on the height of the enclosure, and will depend on the level of plant and decor coverage in the enclosure. For basking, flagstone can be used to create sturdy basking areas. Higher-wattage bulbs or additional heating elements may be necessary to create the correct hotspot for the tortoise to bask under. The wattage will vary based on the enclosure size.

Both UVB and basking lamps can also be used outdoors to enhance husbandry and ensure proper lighting and heating.

 

Heating 

  • Basking Spot: 100-105°F
  • Ambient/cool zone: 80-90 F 

  • Nighttime Temperature: 70-75°F 

 Do not use red bulbs!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q3P8T49NTA 

For plant lighting, a 16-inch Glow and Grow LED light is a good option, but we prefer the 22-inch Glow and Grow for a better light range that covers more of the enclosure. Depending on the type of enclosure you're setting up, you may need different lighting solutions, such as T5 or T8 fixtures, or even commercial LED lighting for optimal plant growth and coverage.

 

Humidity 

It’s a common misconception that Sulcata Tortoises don’t need a water source or that they get all their hydration from food. However, this is not the best way to care for them. Neonates can dehydrate quickly, as they hatch during the rainy season in their natural habitat. It’s good practice to offer fresh water on a daily basis and soak the babies for about 15 minutes each day.

Adults and juveniles will also appreciate an occasional spray-down. We recommend using terra cotta plant pot bases as water dishes because they are shallow, making it easy for the tortoises to climb in and out. These dishes are easy to clean and disinfect, and the tortoises can freely enter and exit as they please.


Food/Water

Sulcata Tortoises are a very food-motivated species. They eat a lot, basically anything they can get their hands on — like a trash can with legs! That’s why it’s crucial to provide pesticide- and herbicide-free grass and plants for them.

A large portion of their diet should consist of grasses and hays like Timothy hay, oat hay, and clover. Vegetables and greens should make up the second largest portion of their diet, while fruits, sugary foods, and edible flowers (such as hibiscus, most wildflowers, dandelions, and rose petals) should make up the smallest portion. For the younger tortoises, you can shred the harder vegetables using a grater. Larger tortoises can take big bites, but you can shred them for the adults as well. Cactus pads are a favorite and are available in most supermarkets. Other good options include squash, corn, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, collard greens, dandelion greens, mustard greens, and kale.

We also recommend adding the Arcadia Optimised52 Tortoise Diet 500 Grams to their meals for variety. However, avoid feeding them large quantities of spinach and kale too often, as they contain compounds that can interfere with calcium absorption.

And a note on shopping for your tortoise: avoid going to the grocery store to stock up on veggies for them! 90% of their diet should consist of grasses, as they are grazing tortoises. The veggies in the fresh produce aisle are best left as occasional treats. Grocery store veggies often lack the fiber and nutrients they need, and some can have harmful compounds. ALWAYS double-check to ensure the food you offer is safe for them; they’ll try to eat anything, no matter what!

 

Handling 

Let’s be honest — you can pick up a tortoise, but you can’t really “handle” one, especially when they reach 35 inches long and weigh over 100 pounds! Feeding them is probably the best and easiest way to bond with them, though be cautious with your fingers. Even babies can take a chunk out of your finger if you’re not careful. Watch how an adult Sulcata Tortoise devours a carrot, and you’ll get the idea!

 

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