African spurred tortoise

Description:

It is the third largest species of tortoise in the world and the largest species of mainland tortoise (not found on an island).

Habitat:

Semi-arid grasslands, savannas, and thorn shrublands.

Notes:

Photographed this tortoise at a sanctuary near Stellenbosch. Intresting Facts ■The African Spurred Tortoise inhabits only in desert areas and is well camouflaged by the sandy color of its body. ■These tortoises are the largest found on mainland. ■The African Spurred Tortoise has two or three large conical spurs on the hind surface of its thigh. The creature gained its name from these spurs. ■The African Spurred Tortoise keeps themselves hydrated in the summer months by living in their shallow burrows. ■They cannot survive in cold conditions. ■The adult African Spurred Tortoises are very strong and able to knock over anything in their way. ■A two headed African Spurred Tortoise was born in Slovakia in 2010. It also has five legs. The two heads of the tortoise has been given two different names. The left head is called Medga and the right one Lenka. ■The African Spurred Tortoises are given the “vulnerable” status recently. ■The United States Department of Agriculture made it illegal to import the African Spurred Tortoise on March 21, 2000. Because the African Spurred Tortoise may carry the bacteria that causes the Heartwater disease.