This is an African Spur Thigh Desert Tortoise. Its scientific name is Geochelone sulcata. It’s relatives are the Galapagos tortoise and Aldabra Giant Tortoise. Their origin is Africa and they like to live in desert and bushland. Their life-span can be up to 80 years and their size ranges from 130 to 220 lbs.
We were at the Honolulu Zoo at Christmas 2008. The zoo had been home to Spur-thighed tortoises since 1990. In the following four years almost 200 babies hatched here.
African spur-thigh desert tortoises are known by many names. They are commonly called the African spurred tortoise, grooved tortoise, sulcata, or simply the spur tortoise. Their names refers to the large overlapping scales on their front legs. More information can be found at this link.
Thanks for looking and enjoy your day.
Great photos! It looks like he is posing for you. I know them byt the name Sulcata.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting Ginny and thank you :)
DeleteA beautiful beast I hadn't known about - thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome Sue. I have fun learning these things too. Beautiful indeed!
DeleteThese photos are fabulous. Isn't he a handsome one.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ann, he is a handsome one, I agree :)
DeleteLove the tortoise, great photos. Take care, have a great day!
ReplyDeleteSo glad Eileen :) You take care and have a great day also.
DeleteWow...200 babies? What do they do with them?
ReplyDeleteAmazing isn't it? :) That would be a good question to ask.
DeleteWow...loved the face to face encounter of the last image. When we visited Honolulu zoo the only one I remember seeing & photographing was the Nene. The Hawaiian state bird of course. Go figure.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anni, and the Nene is a wonderful goose. I enjoyed them also.
Deletehis legs look like he is wearing armor plating! he is a beauty
ReplyDeleteHe looks amazing doesn't he? Thanks Sandra :)
DeleteWonderful shots.
ReplyDeleteThank you Christine, happy you think so :)
DeleteThose tortoises in Hawaii are huge. Jess just saw the giant turtles in Maui where there are many of them, and I've seen them before as well. They are amazing. You took some great photos of this delightful creature. Their shell and legs are very interesting to look at.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week, Denise.
~Sheri
Thank you Sheri, yes, very interesting. I could almost see the personality in their eyes.
DeleteWow, what a nice post of your visit with these giants, Denise. Their armored legs are so interesting! What wonderful creatures.
ReplyDeleteHi Martha Ellen, and thank you :) It was a fun trip to the zoo and I love reliving it through my photos.
DeleteA very photogenic fellow.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more, thanks William :)
DeleteGosto destes animais, são muito simpáticos.
ReplyDeleteUm abraço e boa semana.
Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
Livros-Autografados
Obrigado, e concordo :) Um abraço e continuação de boa semana.
DeleteWow, they must be huge! I wonder what Lorelei would think of them if she could see them in real life.
ReplyDeleteI think Lorelei, for her love of animals, would enjoy them very much :) The new puppies are adorable!
DeleteI quite like them! Cool critters.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jenn, yes I agree, very cool critters :)
DeleteGreat looking turtle!
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda, I thought so too :)
DeleteNice job. A colony of them live at Honolulu
ReplyDeleteI would like to go back and see them again one day. Thanks Cloudia :)
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