[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