African spurred tortoise

This giant is the largest African and third of all the tortoises on earth

Σ64

The semi-arid grasslands, scrub, and savannah zones along the southern edge of the Sahara Desert are home to these tortoises, native to arid and semi-arid areas of Africa. They are most active in the hours between dusk and dawn, and they typically bask in the morning to warm up after a chilly night.

They are pretty combative with one another. The breeding season is when this antagonism peaks, although it begins as soon as they hatch. They are currently enlisted as Vulnerable on the IUCN red list due to the destruction of their habitats and overgrazing by livestock.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Algeria
2020
Presence Uncertain
Benin
2020
Possibly Extant
Burkina Faso
2020
Cameroon
2020
Possibly Extant
Central Af. Rep.
2020
Chad
2020
Djibouti
2020
Possibly Extinct, Origin Uncertain
Eritrea
2020
Ethiopia
2020
Mali
2020
Mauritania
2020
Niger
2020
Nigeria
2020
Saudi Arabia
2020
Origin Uncertain
Senegal
2020
Somalia
2020
Presence Uncertain, Origin Uncertain
Sudan
2020
Togo
2020
Possibly Extinct
Yemen
2020
Origin Uncertain

Did you know?

  • In Senegal, the African spurred tortoise is a sign of virtue, fertility, happiness and longevity.
  • This tortoise can last for weeks without water and food, and when it finds water, it can drink as much as 15% of its own body weight.
  • An African-spurred tortoise faces danger if it falls onto its back, especially if the temperature is extremely high.

Anything we've missed?

Help us improve this page by suggesting edits. Glory never dies!

Suggest an edit

Get to know me

Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic (szie) / Monomorphic

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No