Geochelone sulcata MILLER 1779

African spurred tortoise

Species recognized by P Uetz, TIGR Reptile Database external link in 
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU) external link Showing: scientific names

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Geochelone sulcata MILLER 1779

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Geochelone sulcata
Geochelone sulcata
Geochelone sulcata
Geochelone sulcata
Geochelone sulcata
Geochelone sulcata
Geochelone sulcata
Geochelone sulcata
Geochelone sulcata

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Overview

Biology

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Most activity occurs during the rainy season (July to October), primarily at dawn and dusk, when this tortoise forages for succulent plants and annual grasses (4) (5). Like many species, the African spurred tortoise often spends the early morning basking to raise its body temperature after the night chill. During the dry season, adults often aestivate in their cool, moist burrows to prevent dehydration, while hatchlings are thought to enter small mammal burrows for the same purpose (4) (5). Mating can take place at any time from June through to March, but reportedly occurs most frequently after the rainy season from September to November (4) (5). Four or five nests may be dug before the female decides upon the one in which to lay her clutch of 15 to 30 eggs. Once deposited, these eggs incubate underground in the covered nest for approximately eight months (4) (5). From the moment they hatch, African spurred tortoises are very aggressive towards one another, and especially so at breeding times (4) (5). Males in particular can commonly be seen ramming into each other and attempting to flip one another over (4).
James Parham. Editor. "Geochelone sulcata MILLER 1779". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/794282". Accessed 22 Mar 2010.