C are in C aptivity Captive Care of the African spurred tortoise, Geochelone sulcata Kendra E. Stauffer, DVM Patton Veterinary Hospital, 425 E Broadway, Red Lion PA, 17356, USA A bstract: The African spurred tortoise, Geochelone sulcata, is a popular species kept in captivity due to its high reproductive rate and relative hardiness. Unfortunately, because of their large size, tortoise adoption facil­ ities are being overwhelmed with unwanted adults. Husbandry, reproduction, medical and surgical considerations are addressed to better inform the practitioner and the caretaker. Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/jhms/article-pdf/13/4/38/2208039/1529-9651_13_4_38.pdf by guest on 29 September 2021 Key W ords: African spurred tortoise, Geochelone sulcata, pyramiding, cystic calculi, mycoplasma, reptile, anesthesia. I ntroduction convention. Habitat destruction, capture for international trade, and consumption by the local people, have significantly j Commonly known as the African spurred, furrowed, or decreased populations in their native countries (Lambert,! Sulcata tortoise, Geochelone sulcata originates in the Sahel 1993). African spurred tortoises are a symbol of longevity and region of Africa, along the southern edge of the Sahara are considered good luck charms in Mali and are therefore Desert. This 500 km wide strip includes parts of Ethiopia, commonly kept as pets (Perloni, 1988). There are several cap-| Chad, Niger, Mali, southern Mauritania and Senegal tive breeding programs located in Senegal with the intention (Pritchard CH, 1979, Ernst and Barbour, 1989). African of repopulation, additional information can be found at spurred tortoises are listed in the Appendix II of the CITES www.cites.org/eng/resources/species.html. Figure 1. An adult male African spurred tortoise, Geochelone sulcata, at the Miami Natural History Museum in Florida. Photo by Donal M. Boyer, courtesy of the Zoological Society of San Diego. 38 Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery Volume 13, No. 4,2003 Housing - African spurred tortoise should have a clean, dry enclosure with access to food and water, full-spectrum light­ ing, warm and cool areas (allowing for thermoregulation), a simulated (or real) burrow or hide-box, and protection from predators or other hazards. A six-inch juvenile will be easier to house than a two-foot adult, but the same general needs must be met. A juvenile tortoise can be easily housed in a large plastic tub or similar container, and as it grows (rapidly), can be moved to a “tortoise table” which is an enclosure with low sides built of wood or plastic (further described on the hous­ ing section of the African spurred tortoise care sheet at www.chelonian.org) or “tortoise room” as size dictates. The best place for an African spurred tortoise is outside pen (with Figure 2. An adult male actively pursuing a female African a sturdy solid surface fence) to allow exposure to sunlight andDownloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/jhms/article-pdf/13/4/38/2208039/1529-9651_13_4_38.pdf by guest on 29 September 2021 spurred tortoise. Photo by Donal M. Boyer, courtesy of the more natural foraging and digging behaviors. This can be Zoological Society of San Diego. done on a temporary basis when daily conditions permit in The native habitat of the African spurred tortoise consists of colder climates, or more permanently in warmer arid dry savannah and semi-desert areas. They rely on mois­ areas.Physical damage to the tortoise and the fence will occur ture in food to meet their needs, and conserve water by if the fencing used is a broken surface such as chain link or several methods. These tortoises have thick skin to limit lattice. Wherever you house them, specific conditions must be moisture loss, they expel very little liquid urine, and they dig met to maintain health as described below. burrows (avg. 76 cm depth) to escape the hottest, driest part African spurred tortoise prefer a temperature range of 20 gj of the day. The deepest part of the burrow has a higher 32°C (70 - 90°F). During the day, there should be a basking humidity level and decreased air flow when compared to sur­ area 29 - 35°C (85 - 95°F), and a cool area 18 - 24°C (65 - face air contributing to increased water conservation by the 75 °F) to allow the animals to regulate their preferred tempera­ tortoise. African spurred tortoise is the world’s third largest ture. Recommended day length is 12 hr. Nighttime land chelonian, surpassed only by the Galapagos and Aldabra temperatures may drop to 16°C (60°F) but ideally should be tortoises. Adults will frequently exceed 60 cm (24 in) in kept around 20°C for adults. Remember that although they can survive lower temperatures, it stresses the animals, and length, and can weigh 6 8 kg (150 lbs) or more (Figures 1 and 2). Full size is usually achieved by 10 to 15 yr of age, longer contributes to health problems. Heat provided by radiant in the wild. The shell is generally oval, and the carapace is sources such as heat-lamps or ceramic emitters more accu­ dorsally flattened with steep sides. The scutes are generally rately simulate solar warming during basking than under-tank brown to beige, and display prominent growth rings. Some heaters and “hot rocks” (which are likely to bum animals individuals may have darker scute margins surrounding tan when used as a heat source). Temperatures should be moni­ centers. The plastron is a cream to tan color, and the thick tored regularly as over-heating can lead to dehydration, and skin is a golden brown. The plastron is well developed and cold temperatures will favor respiratory disease and poor has a deep anal notch, and prominent, forked gular scutes. digestive function. The head is fairly blunt, with a mildly hooked upper beak. The African spurred tortoise does NOT hibernate. This tor­ The forelimbs have longitudinal rows of large, knobby scales, toise is active all year although it may go through periods of and the hind leg displays two or three large, conical tubercles winter cooling and summer estivation. or spurs (Ernst and Barbour, 1989, Alderton, 1992). Although controlled studies are lacking, it is suggested to Males are generally larger, and have longer thicker tails than provide full-spectrum lighting, including both UVA (stimu­ females, as well as a more concave plastron and reach sexual lates natural behavior) and UVB (activation of vitamin D). maturity at 35 cm (14” - 15”) (Ernst and Barbour, 1989). Natural sunlight is best, and tortoises that spend some time Females reach sexual maturity at 45 cm (17” - 18”), have a outside will probably get enough ultraviolet exposure. Most glass and plastic block ultraviolet light however, some prod­ shorter tail, and have a wider, rounder anal notch (Gurley, ucts allow for penetration of UV light. These can be used in 2002). Both sexes have large gular projections but in males, greenhouse applications or for skylights and windows. these tend to be larger and more flared (Figures 3 -4 ). Products are: Solacryl SUVT™ panels (Polycast Technology Corp., Stanford, CT) with 85% UV-B transmission, and Captivity - African spurred tortoises have become very pop­ Acrylite® OP-4 Acrylic Sheet (Cyro Industries, 100 ular in captivity. This is due to their robust nature, engaging Enterprise Drive, Rockaway, NJ) with 80% transmission of personalities, and successful captive breeding. Housing and UV-A and UV-B. Fluorescent full spectrum lights should be feeding can become a problem for some due to their longevi­ within about 30 - 45cm (12 - 18") of the animals to provide ty, large size, burrowing habits, and voracious appetites. This enough intensity. The self-ballasted mercury vapor lamps pro­ has led to a surplus of adult tortoises that have outgrown their vide heat, UVA, and UVB and depending on bulb wattage, owners’ facilities or attention spans. Potential owners should should be placed from 30 cm to 1.2 m (1 - 4 ft) from basking be counseled regarding the major commitment of time and site (Active UVHeat bulbs distributed by Wild Inside Box space they are making when purchasing these animals. 228 Mina, NV, T-Rex Products Inc., 1124 Bay Blvd Suite A, Volume 13, No. 4,2003 Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery 39 Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/jhms/article-pdf/13/4/38/2208039/1529-9651_13_4_38.pdf by guest on 29 September 2021 Figure 4. An adult female African spurred tortoise, Geochelone sulcata, showing a much less pronounced gular projection. Photo by Donal M. Boyer, courtesy of the Zoological Society of San Diego. For indoor tortoises, a wide range of materials can be used! for substrate, from simple newspaper, to hay, or commercially'! available pelleted substrates. Pelleted alfalfa is often too high J in protein and other minerals and likely to contribute to I improper growth of juveniles. The main concerns with a sub-f strate are that it be kept clean, and that it be non-obstructing! when ingested. Most reptiles eat bedding, whether by acci-i dent or intentionally. Items like pebbles, tree-bark, crushed I walnut shells, corncob, or silica-sand can be problematic'! because of the potential to form obstructions of the gastro-B Figure 3. A mature adult male African spurred tortoise, intestinal tract that may require surgical correction. Similarly, j Geochelone sulcata, showing the large gular projection which is any foreign objects in their enclosures may be ingested if pos- 1 used in combat. Photo by Donal M. Boyer, courtesy of the sible, so any small objects should be avoided. Zoological Society of San Diego. African spurred tortoise are very big, very strong, and very 1 persistent. Enclosures need to be sturdy enough to withstand 1 Chula Vista, CA and Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc.