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Zoolung Animals

Zoolung Animals

Yeongdeungpo Hanam Dongtan Gyeongju

Sulcata Tortoise

The Sulcata tortoise is the third-largest land tortoise in the world. Since it lives exclusively on land, it cannot swim. Instead, it can walk for long distances and has sturdy legs that can handle rocky terrain with ease. Also, unlike sea turtles, it can retract its head and legs into its shell. As they age, growth rings form on their shells, so you can tell how much they’ve grown by looking at these rings. They have very strong jaws and teeth, so they can easily crush even hard fruits.
  • Category
    Turtle Neck Tortoise Family
  • Habitat
    Savanna region
  • Diet
    Vegetables, fruits, etc.

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Species

The third-largest turtle in the world

It is the third-largest species of land tortoise in the world, after the Galápagos tortoise and the Aldabra giant tortoise.

Place of discovery

The Sahel region of Africa

It inhabits the Sahel region (including Senegal and Sudan), located on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert on the African continent.

Habitat

Arid deserts and savannas

It inhabits dry, hot desert margins with sparse vegetation, shrubby deserts, and dry savanna regions.

Diet

Strictly herbivorous

They are strict herbivores that feed exclusively on plant-based foods such as grass, hay, and fiber-rich weeds.

Action

Avoiding the Heat and Digging Tunnels

To escape the intense heat of the day, they dig deep, long burrows and spend most of their time inside them.

Average size

Length: 70–80 cm

This is a giant land tortoise that grows to a shell length of 70–80 cm and weighs up to 50–100 kg.

Features

Strong claws and skin

It has large, strong claws suitable for digging, and its neck and legs are covered with sturdy, thick scales.

Lifespan

50 to 150 years

They are known to be extremely long-lived animals, living 50 to 70 years in captivity and sometimes over 100 years in well-managed environments.