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Ivory African spurred tortoise
Centrochelys sulcata "Ivory"
A beautiful leucistic selection of the African spurred tortoise, displaying a clean cream or ivory coloration with dark eyes.
Class:Testudines
Order:Testudines
Family:Testudinidae
Genus:Centrochelys
Species:Centrochelys sulcata "Ivory"
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
30 - 60 %
Day temperature
28 - 32 °C
Ambient temperature
30 °C
Night temperature
20 °C
Basking spot
35 - 38 °C
Adult size
101 cm
Minimum enclosure
>= 10,000 L
UVB
High
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: This color morph belongs to the species Centrochelys sulcata, native to the semi-arid Sahel region of sub-Saharan Africa. They inhabit dry savannas, grasslands, and desert fringes. The 'Ivory' color morph is a product of selective breeding in captivity and is not typically found in the wild.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Member of the family Testudinidae. The 'Ivory' morph is a form of hypomelanism. It is genetically recessive, resulting in a dramatic reduction of dark pigments (melanin) in the skin and shell, giving it an ivory-cream color. Unlike albinos, they retain dark pigment in their eyes.
Behavior and Habits: Terrestrial, diurnal, and highly active. They are prolific burrowers, digging deep tunnels to thermoregulate against extreme heat and cold. They possess a robust, determined temperament, and mature males are known to be territorial and highly physical during interactions.
Morphology: Features a heavy, robust build with thick, scaled legs and prominent spurs on their thighs. The carapace plates show deep growth rings (sulci) and are colored a solid ivory or cream, lacking any dark brown or black markings. Adults can reach 80 cm in length and weigh over 50-80 kg.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: While hatchlings can start in large indoor tortoise tables (minimum 120x60 cm), their rapid growth necessitates transition to a large, highly secure outdoor yard. Fences must be strong and sunk deep into the ground to prevent tunneling. A heated night house is mandatory for winter.
Lighting and Heating: Requires high-output UVB lighting (10% bulb or metal halide) for 12 hours a day. Basking spot temperature must reach 35-38 degrees Celsius (95-100°F), with a cooler area at 26 degrees. Nighttime temperatures must be kept above 20 degrees Celsius using ceramic heat emitters.
Humidity and Hydration: Keep ambient humidity low (30-40%). However, hatchlings benefit from a humid hide box to support smooth shell development and prevent dehydration. Provide a shallow, heavy water dish daily. Soaking young tortoises in warm water twice a week is highly recommended.
Feeding and Supplementation: Strictly herbivorous, high-fiber diet. Feed lawn grasses, clover, dandelion, hay, romaine lettuce, and spineless cactus pads. Never feed fruit, grains, or commercial dog/cat food. Dust food with pure calcium carbonate three times a week and a calcium/D3 supplement once a week.
Compatibility: Males are highly territorial and will aggressively ram and fight other males using their gular horns. Keep only one male per group of females in large outdoor enclosures, or house them individually to prevent stress and injury from constant breeding attempts.
Health and Common Diseases: Susceptible to Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) and respiratory infections if kept too cold or wet. Because of their light coloration, ensure ample shade is always available in outdoor enclosures to prevent sunburn and heat exhaustion during peak solar hours.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
This color morph belongs to the species Centrochelys sulcata, native to the semi-arid Sahel region of sub-Saharan Africa. They inhabit dry savannas, grasslands, and desert fringes. The 'Ivory' color morph is a product of selective breeding in captivity and is not typically found in the wild.
Origin
Selective breeding and cultivarsAfrica and Madagascar
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 101 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 101 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 101 cm for this species, recorded as straight carapace length (SCL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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