HABITAT: An arid country species
SUBSPECIES: None
FEATURES: This is the largest mainland tortoise, with some adults reaching over 24 inches in length and weighing over 100 lbs.
The carapace is serrated; the anal scutes are split with the females having a wider opening than the males. It has a a wide, rather flattened carapace, yellow or pale brown in colour, both limbs and the moderately large head are of the same colour as the carapace. The legs have thick scales and two or three strong spurs. The hatchlings have pale yellow carapaces with narrow brown bordered scutes.
Males are larger than the females; copulation takes place during the rainy season with the males uttering grunting sounds. Clutches are usually large, and have long incubation times.
FEEDING:
Native: grass, various succulents, crassulas, thistles and anything else growing in their dry habitat.
Captive: A wide variety of vegetation and fruit. It also drinks more than in its natural habitat. The following foods can be tried: beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cucumber, clover, dandelion, endives, grass, various varieties of lettuce, kale, sprouts of the pulses. Of the fruits, try apricots, bananas, blackberries, dates, figs, gooseberries, mandarins, mango, passion fruit, peach, pineapple, plum, orange, paupau, tomato, and watermelon.
Offer roughage in the diet (hay and grass) and use one of the proprietary vitamin and mineral supplements (Nutrobal or Vionate). Offer water regularly.
CAPTIVE HUSBANDRY HINTS:
This animal needs regular exercise and must be given the freedom of a large lawn whenever the weather permits. As it grows to a large size it is important the leg muscles have a chance to grow strong. Be careful not to mix with other animals as it is susceptible to both Rhinitis and Stomatitis. You are advised to keep the animal diurnally, e.g. lover night temperatures (about 20 degrees Celcius) and high day temperatures (35 to even 40 degrees Celcius). In its natural habitat the animal digs burrows, so provide burrowing facilities in its pen or vavarium.
The Spurred Tortoise does not hibernate but aestivates in its natural habitat.