The African Spurred Tortoise, also known as the Sulcata Tortoise, is the largest mainland tortoise species and the third-largest tortoise in the world. These tortoises are easily recognized by their thick, sandy to yellow-brown carapace, large, scaly front legs, and prominent spurs on their hind legs, which give the species its name. They don't have teeth, but serrated jaws help them to tear apart plants. Pointy spikes on their legs are used to dig and to defend themselves. Additionally, they have very large bladders to store water for a long time. Adapted to arid and semi-arid environments, African spurred tortoises are most active during the day and spend the hottest parts of the day in deep burrows they dig to escape the desert heat and retain moisture. Breeding typically occurs during the rainy season, when males compete for females through ramming and posturing. After mating, females lay 20 to 30 eggs in a nest dug into the ground, and incubation lasts about 90 to 120 days, depending on environmental conditions. Hatchlings are independent from birth and must dig their way out of the nest to begin foraging on their own.