ORDER

Testudines (turtles and tortoises)

FAMILY

Testudinidae (tortoises)

HABITAT AND RANGE

Spurred tortoises are found in dry, semi arid habitats on desert fringes and dry savannahs of northern and eastern Africa.

IDENTIFICATION

Spurred tortoises are the second largest tortoises in the world (the largest continental tortoises) second only to the Galapagos tortoises. They have broad flattened carapaces that are usually light brown or tan in color. The plastron is ivory colored and growth rings are evident around the scutes (can be used to determine age). They have very thick yellow-brown skin that matches their carapace color. They have large, thick, overlapping scales on the front legs which they pull over their face to protect themselves. The hind legs have spurs which do not seem to serve any particular purpose. The plastron of males is slightly concave and is the best indicator for sex.

DIET

Tortoises are vegetarians and spurred tortoises rely mostly on succulents for their food and water requirements. The will also eat a variety of grasses and other plants if their favorite succulents are unavailable.

REPRODUCTION AND LIFESPAN

Mating occurs almost year round but is most frequent after the rainy season in September and November. Males are very aggressive towards each other especially during breeding and will often ram each other ending up with bloody limbs and heads. When a female is ready to lay her eggs she will begin to dig a nest that eventually reaches 0.6m in diameter and up to 14cm deep; this may take her 5 hours. Females typically lay 15-30 eggs at three minute intervals. They will then take another hour or so to bury their nest. The eggs incubate for up to 8 months underground after which 4-6 cm long hatchings emerge that weigh as little as 25 grams. Lifespan can exceed 70 years.

NOTES

Males can grow to be almost three feet long and weigh up to 200 lbs. Females are slightly smaller. Spurred tortoises are very aggressive towards each other. Males will be aggressive towards each other from the time they hatch. They ram each other in attempts to flip the other male over. Spurred tortoises are very active animals and often dig deep burrows to find shelter from hot weather.