Essential Sulcata Tortoise Care: Keeping Your Pet Healthy and Happy Discover the intriguing traits and requirements of sulcata tortoises By Lianne McLeod, DVM Lianne McLeod, DVM Lianne McLeod, DVM, is a small animal and exotic pet expert with over a decade of experience writing about veterinary care. After caring for animals in her veterinarian practice, Lianne went on to study biology and research water quality and chronic disease at the University of Saskatchewan. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process Updated on 05/24/25 Reviewed by Natasha Diehl Reviewed by Natasha Diehl Dr. Diehl is a passionate veterinarian pursuing specialty medicine with over 6 years' experience with exotic pets. She now works with a team of other experienced vets to provide the best advice and care for their clients' pets. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Veterinary Review Board Credit: The Spruce / Elizabeth Head In This Article Expand Behavior and Temperament Size Information Housing Specific Substrate Needs Heat Light Humidity What Do Sulcata Tortoise Eat & Drink? Health Problems Pros & Cons of Keeping a Sulcata Tortoise as a Pet Purchasing or Adopting Your Sulcata Tortoise Similar Species FAQ Key Takeaways Sulcata tortoises are one of the largest tortoise species and can live over 80 years, requiring a lifetime commitment from their owners.They need a spacious outdoor enclosure with specific substrate, temperature, humidity, and lighting needs to remain healthy.Their diet should primarily consist of grasses and hays, supplemented with leafy greens, and requires careful management to prevent health issues. The sulcata tortoise (_Geochelone sulcata_), also known as the African spurred tortoise, is one of the world's largest tortoise species. It has a brown to yellow shell and thick, yellowish-brown skin, with pointed scales, or spurs, on its legs. Native to arid and semi-arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa, these tortoises can adapt to various living conditions, making them popular pets. However, they aren't ideal for everyone due to their long lifespans and specific care needs. If kept happy and healthy, they can be fun, curious, and friendly companions. Species Overview Common Names: Sulcata tortoise, African spurred tortoiseScientific Name: Geochelone sulcataAdult Size: 18 to 30 inches long, weighing 80 to 150 poundsLifespan: 80 years or more Credit: The Spruce / Elizabeth Head Credit: The Spruce / Elizabeth Head Credit: The Spruce / Elizabeth Head Sulcata Tortoise Behavior and Temperament Sulcata tortoises are quiet, like all tortoises, and are large and slow. They are curious creatures, sometimes to their own detriment, as they can get stuck in tight spaces and may flip over, unable to right themselves. As pets, they are generally pleasant and docile, rarely aggressive or territorial. They should not be handled regularly, especially when young and fragile, as excessive handling can cause stress and lead to health issues or premature death. Size Information The sulcata is the third-largest tortoise species in the world. They typically grow to about 18 inches and weigh between 70 to 100 pounds, although some can reach up to 150 pounds. Housing Access to spacious outdoor or indoor tortoise enclosures is ideal for this large species. They need a sturdy fence about 2 feet tall, and the fence should be extended underground at least a foot in an outdoor enclosure because they burrow well. Shelter, such as a doghouse or small shed, provides protection from the elements, and including a muddy wallow allows your tortoise to soak and defecate. Housing adult sulcata tortoises indoors can be impractical due to their size, but you will have to provide them with a warm space if you live in a colder climate. An outdoor heated shed or greenhouse where they can live when it is cool outside can be a suitable option. If you do choose to bring an adult sulcata indoors, you likely will need to dedicate a room to them. Specific Substrate Needs Many pet owners use a substrate to line the bottom of the enclosure. For a sulcata tortoise, the best substrate material is a mix of sand and soil. This mix is warm, allows the tortoise to dig, and is environmentally sustainable. Heat Sulcata tortoises need hot temperatures to stay healthy and active. They can handle outdoor temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, as long as they have access to a shady spot (75-85F) where they can go if they need to cool off. If the nighttime temperature drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, they'll need some supplemental heat. Maintain daytime temperatures in a room, greenhouse, or shed where your tortoise resides at around 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit with a basking lamp at around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. At night, temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit are typically fine. Don't let the enclosure get too cold, or your tortoise might stop eating and be more susceptible to illness like pneumonia. Light Tortoises housed outdoors don't need special light beyond the sun. When housed indoors, a UVA/UVB light is necessary because they lack regular, unfiltered sunlight. This light helps your tortoise grow strong bones, avoid diseases, and remain healthy. Ensure the light is close enough for your tortoise to benefit, following the product instructions. Check when the bulb needs changing, as UVB will stop being produced even if the light continues to turn on. Humidity Sulcata tortoises prefer a humidity level of 40 to 60 percent, with hatchlings needing it on the higher end. Use a hygrometer to measure humidity and adjust as needed. Excessive humidity can cause fungal infections and respiratory issues. If humidity needs raising, lightly mist the enclosure once or twice a day. Soaking your tortoise in a shallow warm bath for 10 minutes can also help with humidity, hydration, and stimulate bowel movements. Essential Sulcata Tortoise Care: Keeping Your Pet Healthy and Happy What Do Sulcata Tortoise Eat & Drink? Sulcata tortoises are herbivorous grazers requiring a high-fiber, low-protein diet. This includes a variety of grasses and hays (at least 75 percent of their diet), with some edible weeds and flowers like dandelions, clover, endive, and cactus pads. Small amounts of other leafy greens are fine. Avoid foods high in oxalates such as spinach, mustard and beet greens, okra, and kale. Your tortoise will graze on grasses and weeds throughout the day; offer a variety of leafy greens and vegetables every one to two days. Avoid using pesticides in their environment and be aware of which plants are growing, as they will eat anything. Consult with your veterinarian to ensure you're providing the proper variety and quantity of food, as this depends on the tortoise's age, size, and health. Many owners supplement vegetables with calcium powder once or twice a week (or as directed), or use a daily multivitamin product containing calcium. Do not feed fruits, animal protein, or pelleted tortoise foods from pet stores unless directed by your veterinarian. Tortoises get most hydration from food, but you should include a shallow water dish in their enclosure, refreshing it daily. Common Health and Behavior Problems The sulcata tortoise is prone to certain medical conditions, including: Respiratory Infections Like many reptiles, sulcata tortoises are prone to respiratory infections, especially if they're kept in environments that are too humid. And like other tortoises and turtles, shell rot is a common problem. This is usually caused by a fungal infection that leads to a flaky, dry shell. Metabolic Bone Disease Metabolic bone disease is another serious ailment among tortoises and other reptiles. When the animal's phosphorous-to-calcium ratio is out of balance, it can lead to softening and weakening of their bones. This disease can cause deformities and eventually death if not treated properly All of these conditions are treatable to some extent, depending on the disease, by a veterinarian who specializes in reptiles if caught early enough. Don't try to treat your tortoise with home remedies unless recommended by your vet. Pros & Cons of Keeping a Sulcata Tortoise as a Pet There are many benefits to keeping a sulcata tortoise as a pet, such as the fact they are easy to care for, friendly, and extremely gentle. They make great pets for children. One con is that these tortoises live a very long time, so a potential owner has to be ready for a life-long commitment when acquiring one as a pet. They also require hot environments and need humidity kept to an optimal level for them, otherwise, they can develop respiratory infections. Purchasing or Adopting Your Sulcata Tortoise Expect to pay between $50 and $200 on average for a young sulcata tortoise. Getting a sulcata tortoise from a reputable breeder who can tell you about their health history is crucial. This is an animal you'll ostensibly have for a very long time, so you'll want to start off on a healthy foot. Breeders are fairly easy to find across in the United States, thanks to the animal's popularity. Look for a tortoise with clear eyes and a smooth shell. And if possible, ask to see them eat. A healthy sulcata tortoise is a voracious eater; if they are not taking food, this could be a sign of illness. Most importantly, be sure you're up to the task of adopting such a large animal that could theoretically outlive you. Many sulcata tortoises are unfortunately rehomed, so you'll need to have a plan in place for someone to care for your tortoise if you're not able to any longer. Your Guide to Choosing and Caring for a Pet Tortoise Similar Species to the Sulcata Tortoise If you’re interested in similar pets, check out: Red-footed tortoise Greek tortoise Cherry head red-footed tortoise Otherwise, check out other types of reptiles and amphibians that can be your new pet. FAQ How quickly do sulcata tortoises grow? Quickly! Sulcata tortoises grow to be six to 10 inches long by the time they are 2 years old. They are the fastest-growing species of tortoise and eventually reach an adult weight of 79 to 110 pounds. What vegetables can a sulcata tortoise eat? Lots of veggies, at least 20 percent of a sulcata's diet should be various fruits and veggies. After that, the rest of their diet should be grass or hay. How do you tell the age of a sulcata tortoise? Despite many old wives tales stating you can count rings on the bottom of the tortoise's shell, there really is no way to tell the age of the tortoise unless you have proof of its existence: For example, if you get one from a breeder and they are however many months old, you can keep track from there. Explore more: Reptiles & Amphibians Tortoises Sources The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Desert Tortoise Handling. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2012. Metabolic and Endocrine Diseases of Reptiles. Merck Veterinary Manual. Disorders and Diseases of Reptiles. Merck Veterinary Manual.