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Definition of sulcata tortoise
sulcata tortoise
Plural:sulcata tortoises
sulcata tortoise Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
7
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A large species of tortoise native to the Sahara Desert and the Sahel region of Africa, characterized by its deep, furrowed shell and prominent spurs on its legs.
Example
"The sulcata tortoise is the third-largest species of tortoise in the world and requires a substantial amount of outdoor space due to its extensive burrowing habits."
Word Origin & Etymology
The term 'sulcata' is derived from the Latin word 'sulcus', meaning 'furrow' or 'groove', which refers to the distinct, deep grooves on the scutes of the tortoise's shell. 'Tortoise' originates from Late Latin 'tartaruchus' (of the underworld), which evolved through Old French 'tortis'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sulcata tortoise. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 15, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sulcata tortoise