Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just adopted a African Spur-Thighed Sulcata Tortoise.

I have read a lot on the care and feeding of this species and have the general idea with the exception of fruits. Some say NO FRUITS and others say FRUITS ARE OK, but rarely.

His name is Speedy and weighs 50 LBS. His measurement in length is around 23". Speedy is a georgous charmer and very intelligent.

What I need to know more than anything is the visual difference between the African Spur-Thighed Sulcata Tortoise.

Some web sites say the african spur-thighed sulcata is really the Testudo graeca North Africa Spur Thigh Tortoise or Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise. But when I look at a picture of one they seem to be more golden shell in color. Is this true? I just want to know if I'm gonna have a 200 Lb Tortoise or the smaller cousin to him.

Thanks,

Bob

Here are his photos:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v359/stano40/100_3000.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v359/stano40/100_3001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v359/stano40/100_3002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v359/stano40/100_3006.jpg

You did a great Thing, and i know who you got this from...I was right behind you and a day too late and a couple miles too far, but would have made it work some how.

I would say no fruit, but Ill wait for the experts like EJ to come around and second that. As far as for species variation, im not sure. I mainly wanted to say congrats

Sorry about that HunterJackson.

Speedy is a wonderful tortoise. It was a long drive for him and he got a little stressed, but is doing fine and snoring and snug in his new hide box.

He's very curious about everything and doesn't bite. If you hold him to your chest and make a kissing sound he will pop his heard out all the way and give you a kiss. What a character.

We also learned how much & how big he poops. Also he pee's a stream like a horse. This is something you don't want to experience while your driving. Speedy sat on my lap on a blanket and my wife was driving. By the time he was through we were covered and glad to get home.

What a drive.

Do you have other turtles? Speedy is my first.

Sincerely
Bob Stano

I put some links to photos of him on the first post.

Congrats for adopting such a large tortoise! Most people wouldnt take one that wasnt a baby! Hope you are prepared for a huge one! That is cute he makes kissing sounds.
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TurtsandTorts Discussion Group
2 Russians (Harley and Marley)
2 RES (Sunny and Fatty)
2 Gerbils (Sydney and Vienna)
1 Cat (Abby)

Bob, please don't take this personal...

Does anyone else see anything wrong with this post???????

The most important point is that the person who adopted this tortoise did not seem to properly inform the adoptee what they were getting themselves into.

Second, the adoptee (bob) did not seem to know what he was getting himself into.

Bob, what you have is a G. sulcata OR the biggest T. greaca in history. My bet is with the sulcata or spurred tortoise. The Spur thigh is a much smaller tortoise.

You will be ending up with one big mother of a tortoise.

Ed

>>Just adopted a African Spur-Thighed Sulcata Tortoise.
>>
>>I have read a lot on the care and feeding of this species and have the general idea with the exception of fruits. Some say NO FRUITS and others say FRUITS ARE OK, but rarely.
>>
>>His name is Speedy and weighs 50 LBS. His measurement in length is around 23". Speedy is a georgous charmer and very intelligent.
>>
>>What I need to know more than anything is the visual difference between the African Spur-Thighed Sulcata Tortoise.
>>
>>Some web sites say the african spur-thighed sulcata is really the Testudo graeca North Africa Spur Thigh Tortoise or Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise. But when I look at a picture of one they seem to be more golden shell in color. Is this true? I just want to know if I'm gonna have a 200 Lb Tortoise or the smaller cousin to him.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Bob
>>
>>Here are his photos:
>>
>>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v359/stano40/100_3000.jpg
>>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v359/stano40/100_3001.jpg
>>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v359/stano40/100_3002.jpg
>>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v359/stano40/100_3006.jpg
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Hi Ed,

Thanks for the critism and no harm done. I should have mentioned that as an adoptee I was told that speedy was a african spur-thighed tortoise. I did go on line to find out all I can before saying OK and picking him up.

I was shown the spike's along the rear of him and told this is why he is called spur-thighed. I did know he was gonna be the or I should say the african spur is the 3rd largest tortoise in the world.

I guess the confusion I had was going through all the sites and finding out that the spurred side was suppossed to be called the mediteranean tortoise. But when I looked at the photos he looked more golden and a lot smaller and not the same as what I just adopted.

So, I am suppossing by your knowledge and visuals of my photos of speedy that I do have a spur-thighed and is the same as the afrucan spur which is the 3rd largest tortoise.

bob

Here's a couple more photo'sof my new pal. Speedy is the greatest. Now is have two wonderful herp friends, a beardie and a sulcata.

I trying to post an image direct and I hope this works.

His first feeding in his new home consised of arugula, mustard greens, endive greens, a diced carrot (that's his treat) and collard greens. He sure chowed down on them. It was a big plate full and I hope he got enough. I'm still learning how much is enough. Any suggestions??

This next photo is a top shot of his upper shell.

Thanks for looking

bob