Centrochelys sulcata

Large outdoor grazing pen + insulated heated shelter (cannot be kept in a terrarium as an adult)

Indicative minimum dimensions per adult; bigger is always better. A very sturdy pen, with walls buried (30 cm and more) and rising above the ground (~60 cm) because the animal digs burrows, pushes and climbs. An insulated, heated shelter is essential for winter in a temperate climate. An adult sulcata is a 40-100 kg animal that requires a real sunny outdoor space.

An overall dry, well-ventilated environment for the adult (arid origin). Nonetheless provide a humid shelter/microclimate (60-80%) and regular baths for hatchlings and juveniles in order to PREVENT shell pyramiding. Avoid stagnant humidity (shell rot, respiratory infections).

Deep, loose substrate allowing burrowing: the species digs burrows several metres long. Avoid fine sand on its own, wood shavings and pellets (risk of intestinal obstruction). Bury the pen walls to prevent escape by burrowing.

Exposure to strong UVB is essential: unfiltered natural sunlight (ideal, outdoors) or a high-intensity UVB tube such as T5 HO 10-12% indoors/in the shelter, with an accessible shaded area. Insufficient UVB/D3 leads to metabolic bone disease.

Clean water available at all times in a wide, shallow container (to drink and bathe without risk of drowning). Regular baths, especially for juveniles, to maintain hydration despite the arid origin and to prevent bladder stones and gout.

Semi-arid Sahelian belt south of the Sahara (Senegal, Mali, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia): dry savannas, grassy steppes and scrubland. PROTECTED: listed under CITES (Appendix II) and Annex B of the EU, classified as Endangered by the IUCN — imperatively favour captive-bred, declared and documented specimens.

Strict herbivore (a grass grazer) — Grasses and hay ad libitum (Timothy, cocksfoot, Bermuda), edible wild plants (dandelion, plantain, hibiscus, mulberry leaves)

A diet very high in fibre, low in protein and sugars. AVOID fruit, sugary vegetables, high-protein pellets and excess cabbage/brassicas (goitrogenic): sugar and fruit cause diarrhoea and flagellate blooms. Supplement with calcium (cuttlebone); hay available at all times.

Clutch 15–40 eggs/young. Maturity linked to size (~30 cm) rather than age, often 5-15 years. The female digs a nest; incubation ~ 90-120 days (variable with temperature). A very prolific species that can produce several clutches per year. Temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD).

• Shell pyramiding (dehydration, humidity too low in the juvenile, excess protein)
• Metabolic bone disease (calcium/D3 deficiency or insufficient UVB)
• Respiratory infections (cold and/or stagnant humidity)
• Bladder stones and gout (chronic dehydration, unsuitable diet)
• Digestive disorders and parasites/flagellates (a diet too high in sugar) and obstruction from unsuitable substrate