Sulcata Tortoise

Enclosure

Sulcatas need a large, open, outdoor-friendly habitat. Adults require at least a 10x10 ft area minimum, but larger is strongly preferred. Outdoors is ideal in warm climates like Miami. Provide deep substrate for digging—cypress mulch, topsoil, or a mulch/soil mix works well and holds moisture safely. They must have a heated hide in cooler months.

Provide a basking area of 100–105°F, a warm side around 90°F, and a cool side 75–85°F. Night temps should stay above 70°F. They require UVB when housed indoors or during cloudy seasons. Ideal humidity is 40–60% with access to slightly humid retreat spots. Sulcatas tolerate extreme heat very well but do NOT tolerate cold—they should be brought inside or heated when temps drop below 65°F.

Diet and Hydration

Sulcatas are strict herbivorous grazers. Their diet must be high fiber, high calcium, and low protein + low sugar.

Weekly Feeding Schedule (adult)

Daily

Offer large piles of grass hay, fresh grasses, and leafy greens equal to the size of their shell.

3x a week: Add weeds, hardy edible plants, hibiscus leaves/flowers, opuntia cactus pads.

1x a week: A small amount of commercial tortoise pellets, soaked.

Monthly

Very limited fruit (optional).

Food Categories

Staples

Bermuda/Timothy/Orchard grass, fresh lawn grasses, hibiscus leaves, mulberry leaves, collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, dandelion.

Treats

Hibiscus flowers, prickly pear fruit, squash, pumpkin.

No Feed / Toxic

Spinach, iceberg lettuce, dog/cat food, beans, peas, corn, avocado, rhubarb, high-sugar fruits.

Hydration

Provide a large, shallow water bowl they can walk into. Soak juveniles 3–4 times weekly, adults 1–2 times weekly for 15–20 minutes. Helps prevent pyramiding and dehydration.

Supplements

Light calcium dusting 2–3x weekly. Multivitamin once weekly.

Behavior Notes

They may eat anything green, including dangerous plants. Must graze often to stay healthy.

Health

Common risks include respiratory infections if kept cold, shell pyramiding from poor diet or hydration, and parasites from contaminated greens. Dehydration is one of the most common issues in juveniles. Bacterial infections and metabolic bone disease can be fatal if UVB and calcium are insufficient.

Handling

Sulcatas tolerate handling but do not always enjoy being lifted—too much handling can stress them. Support them from underneath with two hands, keep them low to the ground, and avoid sudden movements. They are extremely strong and can kick powerfully.

For shows, sulcatas are generally excellent with children: calm, slow, gentle, and can sit for long periods. Kids can safely touch their shell. They are not ideal to pick up repeatedly due to size, but small juveniles work well.

Requirements for Show Animals

Sulcatas tend to be

• Very friendly and calm
• Not messy; usually poop only once or twice per day
• Capable of doing 5+ shows due to high stamina
• Easy to box if sized appropriately
• Very good with heat; thrive in warm environments

They are one of the BEST animals for beginner handlers and children.