The African Spurred Tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata) belongs to the family Testudinidae, which includes all land-dwelling tortoises. Its closest relatives are other large-bodied, arid-adapted tortoises, including:
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Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis):
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Also native to Africa but smaller (up to 18 in / 45 cm) and lighter
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Prefers grasslands and semi-arid savannas rather than true desert
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More mobile and less reliant on burrows
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Indian Star Tortoise (Geochelone elegans):
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Shares a similar body plan and herbivorous diet
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Smaller and found in dry regions of the Indian subcontinent
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Not adapted to deep burrowing like the Sulcata
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Aldabra Giant Tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea):
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Another close relative in the Testudinidae family
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Larger in size and island-dwelling, lacks the spurred legs and burrowing behavior
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Evolutionarily similar but adapted to humid island climates
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The African Spurred Tortoise is unique in being the largest tortoise of the mainland and one of the few with extreme desert survival adaptations and powerful hind leg spurs.