Sulcata Tortoise
Can you imagine being older than your grandparents or traveling back in time over 100 years ago? Well, Sulcata Tortoises can live to be very, very old. Some can even live 150 years!
We are going to take a trip to the Sulcata Tortoises’ home in Africa. Are you ready to learn some more about these AMAZING creatures? Let’s Go!
The African desert is a hot place to live, and this makes it very hard to find food and water every day. One of the reasons Sulcata Tortoises can stay alive in this harsh environment is because they can go weeks without water or food!
Phew! Just thinking about this makes me thirsty!
Sulcata Tortoises have a crafty way of building their homes, because they are very skilled diggers. These reptiles have the ability to dig underground tunnels called burrows. Underground burrows keep their bodies nice and cool even on the hottest days.
Would you be scared if you lived underground without any flashlights or lamps or even windows?
Listen to the episode below to learn more about Sulcata Tortoises and to see what Luka and Jackson discover!
Today’s challenge is to build your own burrow. Let’s see what it’s really like to be a tortoise underground, just like Luka and Jackson!
Supplies
Blankets
Pop up tunnels or play tents
Cushions
Boxes
Any other fort building supplies
Build a fort with two doors and or a long tunnel with your fort building supplies. Cover it with blankets to darken the burrow.
Try crawling through the fort without any lights to see what it’s like to navigate with your other senses. Use your sense of touch and hearing to help you.
Share your creations! #heymrjim
“African Spurred Tortoise – Fun Facts and Information for Kids.” Folly Farm, 5 Sept. 2019, https://www.folly-farm.co.uk/zoo/meet-the-zoo-animals/african-spurred-tortoise/.