A sulcata tortoise (African spurred tortoise) requires a high-fiber grass diet, a massive outdoor enclosure with deep fencing to prevent burrowing, daily hydration, and warm temperatures that never drop below 70°F (21°C) without heated shelter.
Raising a sulcata tortoise is a lifelong job. These animals can live for more than 70 years and grow larger than 100 pounds (45 kg).
Housing and Enclosures:
Baby Housing: Young tortoises need an indoor setup like a large plastic tub or tortoise table. Use a mix of topsoil and play sand or coconut coir for substrate. Always include a damp, humid hide box.
Adult Housing: Adult Sulcatas need a large outdoor yard. Fences must be sturdy and buried at least 2 feet (60 cm) deep because these tortoises love to dig deep tunnels.
Winter Shelter: They do not hibernate. In cold weather, bring them indoors or provide a heated, insulated outdoor shed that stays above 60°F (15°C) at night.
Temperature and Lighting:
Basking Spot: Set up a basking light so the hot spot reaches 95°F to 105°F (35°C to 41°C).
Cool End: Keep the cool side of the enclosure around 75°F to 80°F (24°C to 27°C).
UVB Light: Provide a T5 or mercury vapor UVB bulb for 12 hours a day to help them process calcium and grow strong shells.
Diet and Nutrition:
Main Foods: Feed them mostly Timothy hay, fresh grasses, and edible weeds like dandelions. Add dark leafy greens such as collard and turnip greens.
What to Avoid: Do not feed them fruit, meat, or high-protein dog and cat food. Avoid spinach, kale, and broccoli because these block calcium absorption and cause bone and shell deformities.
Supplements: Dust their food with calcium powder that contains vitamin D3 twice a week.
Hydration and Health:
Soaking: Soak baby tortoises in shallow, warm water (no deeper than their elbows) for 20 minutes every day to keep them hydrated.
Water Dish: Provide a shallow, heavy water dish that they can easily step into and out of.
Common Illnesses: Watch for wheezing or runny noses, which mean the air is too cold or damp. Keep their enclosure clean to prevent shell rot
