Beginning in 2008, we opened the gates for School Tours of our facility. This half-day excursion is designed to educate children of any grade level about pivotal issues concerning the support and welfare of animals everywhere. The education program is divided into four different areas of emphasis.
Please take a moment and sign our guestbook.
African spurred-THIGHED tortoise
Distribution Map
[Geochelone sulcata] Habitat: Dry regions, woodlands, and semi-desert grasslands Length: Male (35") Female (26") Weight: 220 lbs Max Lifespan: 100 years Incubation Period: 212 days in the wild
- largest African mainland tortoise
- name comes from distinctive spurs on the rear legs
- five toes on front feet and 4 toes on hind feet
- dig permanent sleeping burrows, which may be shared by 2 or more tortoises
- females dig a pit to lay eggs and then cover them with dirt
- at the end of the incubation period hatchlings emerge 1-3 days after a rain, but
take 3-10 days to escape to the surface