• aka African Spur-Thighed Tortoise, African Desert Tortoise
• from Africa, lives in savannas and near deserts
• Sulcata is the largest mainland tortoise, and third largest tortoise in the world
• Sulcata babies are very affordable and so cute, but they can grow HUGE, up to 24"-31" and 175+ lbs
• needs large outdoor accommodations with a heated tortoise house in colder weather
• very strong and likes to dig long burrows
• likes high temperatures, great tortoise to keep in Arizona or California if you have a very LARGE YARD
• very personable, friendly, curious, bold
• does not hibernate
• NOT to be confused with the much smaller Mediterranean Spur Thighed Tortoise (aka Greek Tortoise)
• A Sulcata requires a serious committement due to its enourmous adult size. Tortoise rescue groups in some areas are becoming overwhelmed by the large numbers of donated (abandoned) Sulcatas. If you really want a Sulcata, consider adopting one. See the rescue page for links.

Leopard and African Spurred Tortoise: Stigmochelys pardalis and Centrochelys sulcata

• by Holge Vetter
• Edition Chimaira, Dec 2005
• ISBN-10: 389973601X
• ISBN-13: 978-3899736014

Sulcatas: African Spurred Tortoises in Captivity

• Professional Breeders Series
• by Rurr Gurley
• Eco Herpetological Publishing & Distribution, Sep 2005
• ISBN-10: 0976733420
• ISBN-13: 978-0976733423

Sulcata and Leopard Tortoises

• Complete Herp Care
• by E. J. Pirog
• TFH Publications, Sep 2008
• ISBN-10: 0793828988
• ISBN-13: 978-0793828982

Web sites

• African Tortoise - Leopards and Sulcatas, care info, by Joe Heinen
• American Tortoise Rescue - Sulcatas Overwhelm U.S. Rescues, Aug 2009
• Arizona Reporter - a 100 lb+ Sulcata was found living in the Sonoran Desert; never release pet tortoises into the wild, they spread disease to the native tortoises (who have no immunity to them)
• Harpo & Friends - web journal of living with sulcata, e.g. first year with Harpo
• Reptile Channel - Sulcata care sheet, by Tyler Stewart, Jul 2010
• SDTTS - San Diego Turtle & Tortoise Society, Sulcata caresheet (a pdf file)
• Sulcata Station - care and feeding of Sulcatas, by Steph Moore & Alan W. Kerr
• Tortuga Villa - Sulcata care information (some of the care info is outdated, esp. indoor housing)
• TPG - caresheet by Tortoise Protection Group, UK
• Turtle Rescue of Long Island - Sulcata, Is It the Right Pet for You; a must read if you are considering getting a Sulcata (150 lbs+)

Discussion

• Sulcata Station - Yahoo discussion group
• Tortoise Forum - US bb, Sulcata section
• Tortoise Forum - US bb, Thinking about getting a Sulcata? Be prepared, not only do they grow huge, but they poop a lot too! (pics)
• Tortoise Forum - US bb, inside a Sulcata's huge burrow (pics)