African Spurred Tortoise
by Millard H. Sharp
Title
African Spurred Tortoise
Artist
Millard H. Sharp
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
African Spurred Tortoise (Geochelone sulcata), endangered in its home range in sub-Saharan Africa. It is the largest African mainland tortoise and the third largest tortoise in the world. It is also the only tortoise that is fully adapted for terrestrial life, capable of digging burrows that reach ten feet long. They get their name from the two or three spurs or tubercles on their thighs. The African Spurred Tortoise is the most commonly purchased pet tortoise in North America, although many owners are unprepared for how large they grow. This one was photographed at the Jacksonville Zoo in Florida.
Uploaded
December 8th, 2013
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