Sulcata Tortoise Lifespan: Vet-Reviewed Lifespan & Care Information
Updated on
Click to Skip Ahead
The sulcata tortoise, also known as the African spurred tortoise, is among the most popular tortoise kept as a pet. They are the largest mainland tortoises, with some individuals weighing over 100 kilograms (220 pounds). These amazing creatures have tan and brown shells and large scales. However, with their large space requirements and endangered status in the wild, their compatibility as a pet remains controversial. In addition, one must have a large space to accommodate this tortoise, as they spend a great deal of time grazing and are enormous.
Let’s explore the sulcata tortoise lifespan and their care in captivity.
Sulcata Tortoise Average Lifespan
The average lifespan for these amazing tortoises in captivity ranges is around 40-50 years, with a confirmed record of an individual reaching 54.3 years. Needless to say, they are a lifelong commitment for someone considering owning one. Certain factors play a role in their longevity while in captivity, such as their diet, how much they’re fed, if they receive enough exercise and medical checkups, and so on.
Their lifespan in the wild is not known. This is in part because of their endangered status, with very few tortoises left in the wild because of human activities, competition with livestock for food, illegal capture for the pet trade, predation on their eggs, and climate change. As a result, their current lifespan in the wild hasn’t been determined.
How Long Does the Sulcata Tortoise Live in the Wild?
In the wild, these tortoises can live 70–100 years. They thrive in the harsh climates of the desert and are extremely hardy reptiles. They are native to the Sahara Desert and the Sahel, which contain semi-arid grasslands, scrub, and savannah regions in Northern Africa. They can dig burrows up to 10 feet deep in the ground for shelter from the hot, harsh, and arid habitat.
How to Care for Your Sulcata Tortoise for a Long Lifespan
The sulcata tortoise is considered to be endangered, and therefore, should not be kept as a pet unless you are absolutely sure about the commitment. Current plans to restore their populations are underway and require the involvement of breeding individuals. Therefore, you may be asked to participate in such programs if you own a sulcata, depending on where you stay. With this comes the mandatory need for certain veterinary checkups and procedures (and the costs associated with them).
Ensure it is legal to own a sulcata tortoise where you reside before deciding to adopt one. You should not adopt a wild-caught animal, as catching wild animals is unethical and leads to the disruption of natural ecosystems. Likewise, pets should not be released in the wild, as they can spread diseases to native animals in the ecosystem and decimate their populations.
Certain factors play a role in their longevity, and if you’re considering owning one of the fascinating reptiles, you’ll need to know how to properly take care of one. Here are some specifics.
1. Feeding & Diet
These tortoises’ diet consists of grasses, flowers (rose petals, hibiscus, geraniums), weeds, and cacti in the native habitat. Tortoises are herbivores, meaning they eat plants, grasses, and hay. It’s important not to feed them a high protein diet, as too much protein can cause a bumpy and pyramiding shell, along with other health issues that can shorten its lifespan. Legumes and some dark, leafy greens are high in protein and should be avoided.
The sulcata tortoise also requires a high-fiber diet, which they get from grasses. The best diet is predominately grass (pesticide-free), mixed with edible weeds, leaves, and flowers. They should not be offered parsley, kale, broccoli, spinach, and other vegetables high in calcium oxalate. Furthermore, as herbivores, they don’t require animal protein in their diet.
2. Environment
Given their size, an outdoor enclosure is considered mandatory for this species. This enclosure should have walls at least 2 feet high, with parts of the fence extending underground to keep predators away.
Their native habitat includes the deserts and grasslands of northern Africa. They are equipped to handle these hot, harsh, and semi-arid environments, which should be replicated in captivity. They thrive in temperatures as high as 100 °F (around 38 °C).
They escape the heat and absorb water by burrowing up to 10 feet into the ground. In captivity, the soil they have access to must be soft enough for them to dig efficiently into the ground—if the soil is too firm, the sulcata tortoise will not be able to dig adequately—if it’s too soft, the burrows will fall apart.
Their environment should be free of plants that are toxic to them, such as azaleas. Bear in mind that a sulcata tortoise may tear up your yard when burrowing. The cleanliness of their enclosure is of utmost importance as well.
3. Healthcare
The sulcata tortoise should have a veterinary exam at least once a year. They are prone to respiratory infections caused by bacterial and viral infections. They are also susceptible to metabolic bone disease and shell pyramiding that can result from an imbalanced diet.
The Life Stages of a Sulcata Tortoise
Their growth rate depends on diet, environmental conditions, habitat, and genetics. Their initial growth period is very rapid. When they’re born, they are around 44 millimeters in size, but quickly reach a size of 6-10 inches (15-25 centimeters) in the first few years of life. Their growth is quicker in areas with more rainfall. They attain sexual maturity at 10-15 years of age. They are thought to be immune to predators once they attain a weight of around 30 kilograms or more (66 pounds).
How to Tell Your Sulcata Tortoise’s Age
There is much debate on how to determine a sulcata tortoise’s age. Some experts believe that you can count the rings on the shell, measure the length of the shell, or inspect the color of the shell. However, most experts agree that the only real way to know for sure is by knowing the hatch date; if you do not have this information, you can only make an educated guess.
Conclusion
These amazing tortoises are said to have lively personalities and are intelligent and curious. They can form bonds with their owners and can even recognize them. Caring for these tortoises means having a large space for grazing and feeding them an appropriate diet of grass, hay, and flowers. They must be able to graze and have access to water 24/7. A typical day consists of grazing and burrowing, so keep in mind your yard will suffer the consequences.
They have an exceptionally long lifespan and are a lifelong commitment. This, coupled with their endangered status in the wild, means that the decision to adopt one shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Featured Image Credit: thirawatana phaisalratana, Shutterstock
