Common Name: African Giant Tortoise
Scientific name: Testudo sulcata
Hausa Name: KUNKURU
Size: 1.3m
Weight: 417kg adult
Habitat: Southern edge of Sahara desert, and the Sahel transitional Eco region of semi-arid grasslands savannas, and thorn shrub lands found in the countries of Burkina Faso, Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, Nigeria and Senegal and also Sudan.
Feeding Habit: Their diet consist of many types of grasses and plants, high in fiber and very low in protein. The consumption of too much protein can cause their shells to take a pyramidal appearance.
Breeding: Copulation takes place right after rainy season, during the month from September through November. Males combat each other for breeding right with the females and are vocal during copulation. Sixty days after mating, the female begin to roam looking for suitable nesting sites. For 5 – 15 days, 4 – 5 nests may be excavated before she selects the perfect location in which the eggs will be laid. Clutch may contain 15 – 30 or more eggs, incubation should be at 30 – 320c, and will take from 90 – 120 days.
Lifespan: 50 – 150 Years in captivity.
Conservation Status: Endangered.
Group name: Creep.
