Prehistoric and awe-inspiring

Watching a fully grown sulcata tortoise is awe-inspiring. The sheer scale of the animal — the domed shell, the wrinkled neck, the powerful legs — feels ancient and magnificent. My 25-year-old female weighs 55kg and moves with unhurried authority through her enclosure. Guests who visit specifically to see her invariably stand in silence for the first minute, just absorbing the presence of such an extraordinary creature. Nothing quite prepares you for a full-grown sulcata.