Sulcata Tortoise Care Sheet

Scientific Name

Geochelone sulcata

Average Size

45cm - 90cm (18 – 36 inches)

Lifespan

100+ years

Natural Distribution

Africa

Sulcatas need the heat and UVB of the African sun. Powersun bulbs provide both, in one unit.


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Wooden Vivariums are perfect for young Sulcatas, the heat is retained inside just how they like it.

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We always suggest sprinkling Nutrobal on your Sulcatas food to ensure they're getting the right balance of vitamins and minerals.

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As a treat, you can ocassionally offer your Sulcata their favourite brand of dried food.

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We advise using wooden vivariums rather than glass as they retain heat more efficiently keeping your pet nice and warm. As African spurs can grow from hatchling size of 7cm (3 inches) to 15 - 25cm within a year it is advised to buy a big vivarium from day one. We would recommend a vivarium of 120x60x60cm (48"x24"x24") whilst they are young. This will ensure your Sulcata has enough room to explore and move around. When the tortoise grows we would set up an area in the house with a basking area of at least 180cm x 180cm (6ft x 6ft) which may lead to an outside enclosure.

Beech woodchip is a good substrate. Sands, such as calci sands can be ingested easily, building up inside the animal potentially causing health problems and distress to your pet.
Sulcatas are very active tortoises and require decor to climb around on. Just make sure its are not to steep as the tortoise will fall. You can use artificial plants to brighten up the vivarium and make it more natural.

Vivarium - Night time heating is provided by a ceramic bulb one end of the vivarium controlled by a thermostat, about 80oF is perfect. The ceramic bulb should be installed using a ceramic bulb holder and covered with a ceramic heater guard. During the day two spot bulbs are used to raise the temperature to about 100- 110oF. These should be at the same end of the vivarium as the ceramic heater to create a hot end and a cooler end. The spot bulbs will also provide a day and night cycle. Temperatures should always be checked by a reliable thermometer.

House set up - We would do the same as above for the night time temperatures but with a higher wattage ceramic bulb. Because the generated heat is no longer insulated by a vivarium, they would now need a reflector to congregate the heat. Regarding the basking area we would use a Powersun bulb that gives both heat and UVB, this would be housed in a reflector. Depending on how large your area is, you may need two of these bulbs to get your temperatures right. Don’t forget to use a reliable thermometer.

Day light is provided by the spot bulbs or powersun bulbs used to raise the day temperate. All tortoises require additional UVB lighting. Sulcatas require UVB light in order to synthesise vitamin D. Without vitamin D (in particular D3) Sulcatas tortoises are not able to metabolise calcium properly causing problems with bone growth. This can lead to serious disease problems such as metabolic bone disease, which kills many reptiles. Sulcatas require a 10% UVB light to remain healthy. The UVB light should be turned on and off with the spot bulbs and placed no further than 30cm (12 inches) from the animals. The UVB tube should be replaced every 6-9 months, as the UVB output is not effective after that time. Ensure you have the correct size starter unit).If you are using the powersun bulbs then these should still be turned off at night.

As youngsters Sulcatas would require a lot of nutrition in their diet. In captivity we would feed mainly dried grasses like hay, also we would offer some fresh veg.
Good vegetables to feed include dandelion, clover, honeysuckle, leafy salads, watercress, curly kale, brussel tops, spring greens, coriander, parsley, rocket, carrot, parsnip, courgette, peppers and small amounts of non citric fruit. Ones to avoid include cabbage, spinach, onion, tomato, buttercup, citric fruits and iceberg lettuce. Also make sure you dust the vegetables with Nutrobal before putting them in a food dish.
An adult diet is mainly dried grasses with fresh vegetation offered only offered twice a week to give variety. You NEVER want to keep a water bowl in the enclosure. This will create a lot of humidity and can cause respiratory problems. We take the Sulcatas out of the enclosure and bath in luke warm water at least twice a week to provide hydration.

Sulcatas do not really enjoy being handled, and as adults they are too heavy anyway! However they do liked to be stroked but you must do it with care.

These tortoises are ok together as long as they are similar in size and you only have one male per enclosure. Make sure if you do have a pair that you have enough room to house them.

Regular spot cleaning of the vivarium should be performed to keep it hygienic for both the animal and the keeper. Change the substrate once a month or as required and clean the vivarium with a reptile disinfectant. These tortoises make fantastic pets but they can make a lot of mess and are a lot of responsibility. Think very carefully before owning one!

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