619-659-8078

Sulcata tortoises have been on this planet for millions of years—long before humans, cars, or even the continents as we know them today. In fact, they're among the oldest living jawed vertebrates, tracing their lineage back through fossil records with barely a molecular blink. Their slow rate of molecular evolution has kept their design steady and successful, perfectly tuned to survive even the harshest conditions.

So when you look at Donashello (one of our residents), you're seeing the past in motion. He's part of a lineage that once walked with prehistoric mammals and outlived more evolutionary experiments than we’ll ever know.

Sulcata Tortoise – The Living Fossils

The sulcata tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata), also known as the African spurred tortoise, is one of the most resilient and long-lived terrestrial reptiles on the planet. Literally, they have remained unchanged for over 100 million years, earning them the nickname "living fossils." They’re very large, ranking third after the Aldabra giant tortoise and Galapagos tortoise.

Native to the southern edge of the Sahara Desert, sulcatas have evolved a suite of unique traits that allow them to thrive in some of the world’s harshest conditions. Let’s explore some of their key characteristics:

1. Exceptional Lifespans

Sulcata tortoise lifespan is among the longest in all land reptiles. They frequently exceed 100 years and, in some cases, reach up to 150 years. This extended longevity is attributed to their slow metabolic rate, low-stress lifestyle, and robust physiology.

However, their long lives also come with challenges—especially in captivity. Sulcata tortoises are one of the most commonly surrendered pets, often because their owners didn’t realize just how big, strong, and long-lived they’d become. Many outlive their original caregivers by decades, and few people are prepared for such a long-term commitment.

In the wild, they face threats too. Habitat loss from expanding agriculture and climate change continues to shrink their native range across the southern Sahara. Between the pet trade and the disappearance of wild spaces, these gentle giants need our protection—now more than ever.

2. Desert Adaptations

As a species adapted to semi-arid and arid regions of Africa, sulcatas have evolved multiple mechanisms to endure extreme heat, intense sunlight, and prolonged drought.

Key adaptations include:

• Burrowing behavior: Sulcatas excavate deep tunnels, often 6 to 10 feet underground, where temperatures remain significantly cooler and humidity levels are higher. These burrows serve as essential refuges during the hottest parts of the day.
• Water efficiency: The sulcata’s body is highly efficient at conserving water. Its kidneys and bladder can reabsorb water, reducing waste and allowing the tortoise to go weeks, sometimes months, without direct water intake in the wild.
• Protective morphology: The thick, keratinized shell and sturdy limbs help minimize moisture loss and provide defense against predators and the abrasive desert environment.

These traits are essential for survival in a biome where resources are scarce, and temperatures can swing dramatically from day to night.

3. Herbivorous Diet

Sulcatas are strict herbivores that rely heavily on high-fiber, low-protein vegetation. In their native range, their diet consists primarily of:

• Dry grasses
• Desert weeds
• Thistles
• Succulents
• Seasonal foliage

Their digestive systems are optimized for fermenting fibrous plant matter, which is processed in a specialized hindgut. This diet must be closely replicated in captivity to avoid complications such as pyramiding (abnormal shell growth), kidney damage, or obesity.

4. Dependence on UVB Light and Vitamin D3

While often overlooked, ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure plays a crucial role in the health of sulcata tortoises. Like many reptiles, sulcatas require UVB radiation to synthesize vitamin D3, which in turn is essential for proper calcium metabolism.

Without sufficient UVB exposure, sulcatas are at risk of developing the metabolic bone disease, a painful and often irreversible condition. In outdoor environments, natural sunlight typically meets their needs. In indoor or temperate climates, however, supplemental UVB lighting (a heat lamp) is a necessity and must be carefully regulated to mimic the natural solar spectrum.

Proper lighting, combined with dietary calcium, ensures that sulcatas develop strong shells and skeletal structures—and that they maintain those systems as they age.

Meet Donashello, Our Special Sulcata

Donashello is special because he’s our very first shelled resident. He’s 20 years old and weighs about 100 pounds. He came to us after his former owners, an elderly couple, reached out for help. They loved him dearly but could no longer provide the care he needed. Since sulcata tortoises can live over 80 years in captivity (and even longer in some cases), they knew he needed a forever home that could commit to a lifetime of care. That’s why we stepped in.

We have created a unique space specifically for him. His new habitat will include everything a sulcata needs to feel right at home—burrows to dig, plenty of room to roam, and species-specific landscaping that mimics the dry, open spaces these tortoises are used to in the wild. Since sulcatas are natural diggers, having soft ground and plenty of shade and shelter from the heat to keep him cool and comfortable.

When Donashello arrived, we invited our members and supporters to help us name him. We held our first-ever “SHELLECTION,” and after a round of votes, the winning name was clear: Donashello! We couldn’t have picked a better fit—it’s charming, a little cheeky, and totally him.

As a herbivore, Donashello enjoys a diet full of dark leafy greens and fibrous plants—foods that keep him healthy and strong. Sulcatas don’t eat meat or fruit; their diet is all about grasses and greens (like hibiscus leaves, etc.), which are great for their digestion and shell development.

And here’s something amazing to think about: at just 15 years old, Donashello is still a child in tortoise years. With good care, he could be with us for the next 80 to 100 years or more. That’s why providing him with expert care, the right habitat, and ongoing enrichment isn’t just important—it’s essential.

We’re honored to give Donashello the loving, permanent home he deserves. And if you’d like to be part of his journey, we’d love your support. Every donation helps us complete his habitat and give him everything he needs to thrive for decades to come.

How You Can Support Us

There are a few ways you can help us provide better care for Donashello and the other residents at LTB:

• Donate – Every gift goes toward completing his forever habitat and ensuring he has everything he needs, from fresh greens to vet care.
• Sponsor his care – A monthly sponsorship helps us plan for his long-term needs and gives you a special role in his journey.
• Spread the word – Share Donashello’s story with fellow animal lovers. The more people who know, the more support we can gather.
• Visit or become a member – Supporting our sanctuary through visits or memberships helps all our rescues — not just Donashello — live their best lives.

With your help, we can give this gentle giant a sanctuary where he can thrive for the rest of his (very long) life.