ケヅメリクガメ (Centrochelys sulcata) はアフリカ大陸最大で、世界でも 3 番目に大きいカメである。サヘルやサハラの半乾燥サバンナや低木地帯に生息する。楕円形の甲羅は褐色からベージュ色で、鱗甲は縁に行くほど黒くなり、成長の年輪が見える。外見的には、腹甲の鱗甲にわずかな違いがある以外は、オスとメスはよく似ているが、オスはメスより大きく成長する場合がある。平均的に、オスは最大で甲長が 86 cm、体重 80 kgであるのに対し、メスは甲長 58 cm、体重 30 kg ～ 50 kgである。
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Centrochelys sulcata
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african-spurred-tortoise
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Animal Facts
There are more African spurred tortoises in captivity than there are in the wild, due to their popularity as pets. This provides an opportunity for pet owners to support reintroduction programmes.
African spurred tortoises are apt diggers and will excavate burrows to reach cooler, moist soil. On hot days, they will retreat to these burrows and enter a dormant state, called aestivation.
Upon reaching a certain size and weight (around 30kg), it is thought that African spurred tortoises experience almost no predation. Most mature tortoises in the wild die when they cannot right themselves after falling on their backs.
African spurred tortoises have keratinous spurs on their hind legs for which they are named. It is unknown what purpose these spurs serve.
While African spurred tortoises are herbivorous, they have been seen eating carrion from dead animals from time to time.
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