REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 26
It’s Tuesday and you know what that means! It’s the day of the week when we meet a reptile! Woohoo! We’re heading to the grasslands of Africa to meet a big tortoise! Who’s ready to go? Let’s do this!
MEET THE AFRICAN SPUR-THIGHED TORTOISE!
Range/Habitat: Africa (Southern Sahara)- grasslands/sand dunes
Diet: Herbivore: grasses, weeds, leaves
Length/Weight: 24-36”/100-200lbs
Conservation Status: vulnerable
Fun Facts:
- African Spur-thighed tortoises have spurs on their hind legs.
- They are the 3rd largest tortoise on the planet.
- African spur-thighed tortoise males are smaller than females.
- They live in burrows.
- They graze on grass and weeds.
- They have a life span from 30-50 years.
These big tortoises are awesome! They are largest tortoise that lives on the mainland, since Galapagos and Aldabra tortoises all live on islands! These guys are often kept as pets. They need loads of special care and space, because they are so big; so it’s very, very important that you do your research before deciding to get one!
The Adventures of Ellie and Edmond 
Wow, that’s a big turtle and it’s gonna live a long time! Do people actually adopt them?
People do adopt them. In fact we couldn’t find very many websites that weren’t about caring for them as pets. These guys get big and need space- it’s important for people to know that when they get them.
Thanks for adding the warning! It’s an animal that most people shouldn’t have. They can’t be kept outdoors all the time in many places, and they require specialized equipment indoors. And their poops are huge and messy!
Big poop? We thought elephants were bad ;)!!