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Name: African Spurred Tortoise |
| Scientific name: Geochelone sulcata | |
| Range: A 500 km strip of the sub-Saharan African continent | |
| Habitat: Semi-arid, urbanisation or pastures, and deforestation areas, grass and shrub lands | |
| Status: Endangered | |
| Diet in the wild: 100% herbivorous diet, dried grass and leaves; perfers morning-glory plants | |
| Diet in the zoo: baled-alfalfa, Purina Pure Pride horse chow, grass and plants and assorted fruits and vegetables | |
| Location in the zoo: Located in the Koala Outback |
| Physical description:
|
Reproduction:
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| Special anatomical,
physiological
or behavioral adaptations: The sulcata is the only tortoise in the world
that is fully adapted for terrestrial life. As a defense mechanism
against predators, the sulcata will retract its body under its hard horny
shell to where the only thing showing is the front surface of its forelegs,
which is covered by scales, and the soles of its hind feet. To protect
itself from an even bigger predator, the temperature, sulcata is famous
for digging burrows. Sulcata can go weeks without food or water,
but when they do get ahold of some water, they can drink up to 15% of their
body weight.
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| Natural Predators |
| Sneaky little critters, like oppossum and raccoons, tend to sneak up on sulcatas when they are sleeping. |
| Common house pets like cats and dogs can be very harmful to a sulcata just by playing with it. They can even be deadly to them if they decide to use sulcata as a chew toy. |
|
G.
sulcata Facts:
On March
21, 2000, the USDA, United States Department of Agriculture, prohibited
the importation of many African land tortoises, including sulcata.
And because this tortoise is common in the U.S. pet trade, the USDA also
prohibited interstate trade of African land tortoises. Exotic ticks,
know to bare heartwater disease, were being found on these tortoises.
The USDA agreed that when protocols and treatments have been established,
the rule would be lifted. To see if this rule is still in effect
go to
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.
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| Comments about the African Spurred Tortoises of the Fort Worth Zoo: |
| The Fort Worth Zoo G. sulcata are a breeding group composed of a male and a female from Africa. On average, the female sulcata lays 15-20 eggs in one sitting, usually in the months of December through March. At the Fort Worth Zoo, 27 eggs have been recorded to have been laid during one sitting. Between 1995-1997, the Fort Worth Zoo has had 54 hacthlings under their care. |
| Personal Observations:
The Spurred Tortoises at the Fort Worth Zoo spent most of their time hanging out on the grassy patch. When they did interact with anything, it took a very long time for them. Just before feeding time they would make their way toward the door. One time, one of them belted out a loud roar. They were very cute! |
 Kimber
Stagg
Send E-mail tokes413@prodigy.net or to mac@whozoo.org |
WhoZoo HomeReptiles and Amphibians at the Fort Worth Zoo
