10 Key Facts About Sulcata Tortoises

Snakes aren’t the only animals that hiss; certain tortoises do, too. If something startles or provokes a sulcata tortoise, it’ll start hissing. The hiss can be loud and abrupt or as quiet as a snake’s. It’s common for the tortoise to make a hissing sound as it retracts its body into its shell. The sulcata tortoise is officially called the African spurred tortoise and is native to the Sahara Desert. Read on to learn 10 incredible facts about the sulcata tortoise.

1. The Sulcata Is the 3rd-Largest Tortoise Species

The sulcata tortoise is the third-largest tortoise species. It’s also the largest non-island or mainland species of tortoise. In captivity, the tortoise can easily weigh over 120 lb and have a body that extends over 30 inches in length. 

2. Sulcata Tortoises Love Warm Weather

Since the sulcata tortoise comes from the dry African savannas, they do best in states with similarly sunny climates. These giant tortoises love the arid grasslands found in Arizona and California. Even though Sulcata tortoises don’t thrive well in cold climates, they can handle low temperatures. Surprisingly, they can tolerate temperatures as low as 45 degrees Fahrenheit. However, when nighttime temperatures drop below 50°F, pet owners should provide their tortoise with a heated box. 

3. The Sulcata Tortoise Has Curled Marginals

One of the Sulcata tortoise’s distinguishing features is its curled marginals. The marginals are the portion of the tortoiseshell with openings. You can find marginal scoots by the tortoise’s head and tail. Sulcata tortoises have a unique flaring to their marginal scutes. The flared marginals are easy to spot in large males. Another distinguishing characteristic is the presence of two to three long and pointed conical spurs on each thigh.

4. A Sulcata Tortoise Can Live for 100 Years

Tortoises are some of the longest-living animals, and the sulcata tortoise can live for around 100 years. Tortoises that live in the wild tend to have shorter lifespans, as different threats can shorten their lives, such as predators, diseases, and adverse weather.

People mistakenly believed that you could tell a Sulcata tortoise’s age by counting the grooves on its shell. Researchers used to think that each groove represented a completed growth period. However, further research has uncovered that determining the exact age is much more challenging. The best way to know their precise age is through record-keeping.

5. Sulcata Tortoises Have Super Strong Bodies

Next on our list of incredible sulcata tortoise facts, let’s talk about strength. A Sulcata tortoise’s muscular system is well-developed, allowing it to retract its head and limbs effectively. If they didn’t have strong muscles, they wouldn’t be able to move their head in and out of their shell.

6. Sulcata Tortoises Are Noisy Lovers

When Sulcata tortoises mate, it’s a noisy affair. Similar to mating cats, things can get intense. There’s plenty of groaning, grunting, and shell banging. Sometimes, the curved marginals of older males are found lodged inside females.

Head-butting and head-banging can signify that a male tortoise is ready to mate. Male tortoises spend a significant portion of their active phase seeking a partner. Once they find a sexually mature female, the male will make his move. Male sulcata tortoises are known for nibbling on the neck and limbs of females. Males will also batter their shells against females to get their attention. If the female sulcata is compliant, copulation can take place.

7. A Sulcata Tortoise’s Beak Can Overgrow

Looking at a tortoise from the side, you’ll notice a hard, sharp overhang from its mouth. This area is the tortoise’s beak. Sulcata tortoises don’t have any teeth. Instead, their jaw is covered with a horny layer forming a powerful, sharp beak. Tortoises eat by using their beaks to shred their food. However, sometimes their beaks can become overgrown if they’re not getting the right nutrition. An overgrown sulcata beak can also be caused by bone disease and trauma. Pet owners should immediately take their tortoise to a vet to have an overgrown beak evaluated.

8. Sulcata Tortoises Have 3 Fundamental Sensory Organs

Sight, taste, and smell are the three fundamental sensory organs for sulcata tortoises. They have a particularly keen sense of sight. Taste and smell are also fundamental sensory organs since they aid the tortoise’s survival. Both taste and smell help the tortoise search for food, observe the presence of a sexual partner, and notice the threat of danger. Scents also help the tortoises distinguish their territory to find the right place to live and build a nest. While hunting for food, companionship, or shelter, a tortoise will continually gather data from odorous particles in the air. The information they collect from air particles lets them know how to live their lives.

9. Sulcatas Can Burrow Through Walls

Next, on our list of incredible sulcata tortoise facts, did you know these animals can burrow through walls? Sulcatas are popular pets, but they aren’t always the wisest choice. What starts off as an adorable baby tortoise quickly grows into a giant tortoise that’s difficult to house. Adults can dig burrows over 20 feet long and go through porches, walls, and housing foundations.

Unfortunately, these tortoises are too giant for most hobbyists. They’re not suitable pets for apartments and do best when they have access to outdoor housing. Caring for a tortoise also takes a lot of work. If you feed them too much protein, the tortoise’s shell can start to deform. Tortoises that don’t have the proper diet sometimes become victims of pyramiding. Pyramiding happens when their shell deforms, and the scutes start to pyramid.

10. Sulcata Tortoises Cry When Sick

Lastly, these animals can cry when sick. For example, sulcata tortoises will make crying sounds if they have a respiratory infection. If there’s too much mucus, their airway becomes constricted. Sometimes, their crying noises are similar to the sounds a small cat might make. The tortoise may gently meow or simply have low-pitched squeals. Respiratory infections are just one of the complications pet owners can face.

The truth is that caring for giant tortoises takes a lot of time, money, and expertise. If you’re missing any part of the equation, it’ll be difficult for the tortoise to live a healthy life.