Sulcata Tortoises: They Grow Into Small Cows

"Small Cow" Isn't an Exaggeration

Sulcatas grow fast. Zoo figures put adult males at up to about 30 inches (75 cm) of shell and 200 lb (90 kg), and females at about 20 inches (50 cm) and up to 90 lb (40 kg). They dig, push through weak fences, and can flatten plants and garden furniture. Their lifespan is often given as 70 years or more, so a sulcata is a family commitment across generations.

What an Adult Needs

• Space: a large, securely fenced outdoor area with grass to graze, in a warm, dry climate. A suburban lawn is usually not enough.
• Shelter: an insulated, heated shed or barn for cool nights and winter. Sulcatas come from the hot, dry Sahel and don't hibernate.
• Diet: grass and grass hay as the bulk of the diet, plus edible weeds. Very little fruit, no animal protein.
• Strong fencing: sulcatas push and dig; fences need to be solid and buried.
• Vet care: a vet who treats large tortoises, and a way to move a very heavy animal.

Apartments and Small Yards

An apartment, a rented flat or a small yard stops working within a few years. Indoors, an adult sulcata needs a room of its own and still won't get the sun and grazing it needs. Many owners discover this only when the tortoise is already too big to move easily.

The Rescue Problem

Tortoise rescues in many countries report a steady stream of outgrown sulcatas, and suitable new homes are hard to find. If you're set on a sulcata, consider adopting an adult from a rescue, which lets you see exactly what you're taking on.

Want a Tortoise? Start With a Smaller Species

Hermann's and Russian tortoises stay around 5–8 inches (13–20 cm) and suit a well-planned garden pen and indoor tortoise table. They still live 50 years or more. See Hermann's and Russian tortoises.

Already Have One?

Plan now for the adult size: the outdoor space, a heated shelter, fencing and a vet. If you can't meet those needs, contact a tortoise rescue or a specialist keeper; never release a tortoise. Rules on keeping and moving tortoises differ by country (sulcatas are protected by CITES), so check paperwork with your national wildlife authority if you rehome or move one.