The African Tortoise is a beautiful animal that should be cared for and respected both in nature and at home. It is in a threatened state, and for this reason it is very important that all specimens survive, being able to offer their benefits to the land to which they belong.
This type of turtles are accepted as pets because of their tranquility and their beautiful figure. But adopting an African Tortoise must be something more than an exotic whim, it is a living being that, due to its wild state, must take care of itself and take responsibility for whoever owns it when it is 40 years old. years you can live.
Source
The African tortoise inhabits a good part of the territory of the Maghreb, North Africa and Egypt, as well as the southern edge of the Sahara desert. Currently it only lives in national parks and wildlife reserves.
Its status in the wild is threatened due to urbanization of its natural habitat, desertification, agriculture and pasture. Another risk factor that threatens the life of the African tortoise is its use in feeding the population as well as for uses in traditional medicine.
Physical appearance
The African tortoise displays dark and earthy colors thus protecting its meat from predators. The skin is covered with scales that are enhanced on the legs. It has two large spurs on the posterior aspect of the femoral region. The carapace of the African tortoise can reach 85 centimeters in length and its weight can increase to 100 Kilograms in the adult stage if it is in a spacious habitat and has a correct diet. Its beak is robust and strong.
It is the largest native tortoise that inhabits the African continent. Its size is only surpassed by the Galapagos tortoise and the Seychelles tortoise.
Behaviour
It is a turtle with a lot of energy because it is generally very active during the cooler times of the day, the rest of the time it remains resting in a burrow, thus trying to avoid the energy expenditure of walking in the sun. They need a large space to move and explore since they are solitary and territorial animals. It is a strong and rough species, adapted to heat and daily movement to feed.
Although with members of the same species they are usually aggressive and territorial, they accept animals of other species well in the same nature and in the human home.
Feeding
The African tortoise is a terrestrial tortoise and herbivorous, whose diet is of great importance for maintaining its he alth. In fact, the males can weigh up to 100 kilograms, so the food we provide them will be essential for their correct development.
The diet of these turtles must have a high fiber and calcium content The foods that must be included are fresh grass, hay, vegetables, meaty vegetables and fruit. Calcium is of great importance for its shell, so in most cases it will be necessary to add calcium supplements to its diet, although it is always advisable to consult a veterinarian specializing in exotic pets for nutritional supplementation.
Captivity
There is no problem keeping an African tortoise in captivity, although some minimum requirements must be met so that they can live properly:
- The minimum temperature they need is 20 degrees Celsius for adults and 25 degrees for the youngest turtles. They also need some hot spots where these temperatures are between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius.
- In summer this warm environment is achieved naturally, but in winter it will be necessary to reach the aforementioned temperature using infrared light sources.
- African tortoises need daily exposure to sunlight, it is not enough for sunlight to pass through translucent glass, but they need to be outdoors and that this contact occurs directly.
- Due to the large size they can reach, it will be equally important that they have a shed of adequate dimensions to hide in.
Diseases and Care
Like any other animal, African tortoises need certain care and Go to the vet for check-ups at least once a yearfor normal check. This species will require a fecal analysis once or twice a year in order to control the presence and infestation by parasites. In the event of loss of appetite, altered activity, changes in the shell, trauma or secretion of body fluids, it will be necessary to go to the veterinarian to rule out any disease.
Needs large amounts of food as well as space to move and rest. During the spring and summer months you can live outdoors without any problem, although in the autumn and winter months, when it is cold, you must have a large room with heating, since the lack of light, heat and excess humidity can harm your he alth seriously.
