African Spurred Tortoise

Centrochelys sulcata

RANGE Southern edge of the Sahara Desert in Africa

HABITAT Semi-arid grasslands, scrub, and savanna

DIET Grasses, weeds, cactus

African spurred tortoises are the third largest living tortoise species. These solitary and territorial reptiles will compete with other tortoises that encroach on their feeding grounds or burrowing areas. Fights consist of ramming shells and trying to flip one another over.

This species is an excellent digger. Their burrows provide shelter during the dry and rainy seasons. African spurred tortoises will dig burrows underground to create a cooler and moister sheltered environment in order to regulate their body temperature in the heat.

Its population has declined rapidly due to habitat loss.