African Spurred Tortoise
Geochelone sulcata
-Being the largest mainland tortoises, these reptiles can grow to be well over 100 pounds and live for 80-100 years!
-The Galapagos and Aldabra tortoises (both living on islands) are the only ones to surpass this tortoise in size
-Well-adapted for extreme heat conditions:
-Dig deep burrows to escape the heat
-Can go weeks without water
-Can conserve energy by slow movement
-Can conserve water by strict urine output
-These tortoises are herbivorous, eating plant matter only
-Found in sub-Saharan regions of Africa
-Mating Season: June to the following March (most frequently during Sept.-Nov. after the rainy season)
-Offspring: clutches of 15-30 eggs are laid and incubated for about 8 months
HERE AT ALAMEDA:
The male you see is named ‘Beauford’, and despite his size, he was hatched out in 1994. This male has much more growing to do and a long life ahead of him. We have 2 other males Red and Blue who are smaller in size in the lemur exhibit and tortoise exhibit next to lemur exhibit. Beuford lives with the springboks and loves to mow the yard.
Geochelone sulcata
-Being the largest mainland tortoises, these reptiles can grow to be well over 100 pounds and live for 80-100 years!
-The Galapagos and Aldabra tortoises (both living on islands) are the only ones to surpass this tortoise in size
-Well-adapted for extreme heat conditions:
-Dig deep burrows to escape the heat
-Can go weeks without water
-Can conserve energy by slow movement
-Can conserve water by strict urine output
-These tortoises are herbivorous, eating plant matter only
-Found in sub-Saharan regions of Africa
-Mating Season: June to the following March (most frequently during Sept.-Nov. after the rainy season)
-Offspring: clutches of 15-30 eggs are laid and incubated for about 8 months
HERE AT ALAMEDA:
The male you see is named ‘Beauford’, and despite his size, he was hatched out in 1994. This male has much more growing to do and a long life ahead of him. We have 2 other males Red and Blue who are smaller in size in the lemur exhibit and tortoise exhibit next to lemur exhibit. Beuford lives with the springboks and loves to mow the yard.