What Is a 100% Het for Ivory Sulcata?
Ivory sulcatas are among the most sought-after tortoises in the hobby: pale, creamy animals instead of the usual sandy tan. A "100% het for Ivory" sulcata looks normal, but carries the ivory gene. Here's what that means and why it matters.
Visual vs. het
- An Ivory shows the trait: the pale, cream color.
- A het (heterozygous) for Ivory carries one copy of the gene but looks like a normal sulcata. It's a "non-visual" carrier.
The ivory trait is generally understood to be recessive. A tortoise has to inherit the gene from both parents to show it.
What the genetics can produce
| Pairing | Expected offspring, on average |
|---|---|
| Ivory × normal | All 100% het for Ivory, normal-looking |
| Het × Ivory | About half Ivory, half het |
| Het × het | About one in four Ivory |
These are averages over many eggs. Any single clutch can vary.
Why "100%" matters
"Possible het" or "50% het" means the breeder isn't sure the animal carries the gene. "100% het" means it must. Our het Ivory hatchlings come from our ivory male, Merlin, and our normal females. Those females have only ever been bred with an ivory male, so every hatchling from these pairings carries the gene. That takes careful planning, and it's the only way to know the genetics for certain.
Who buys het Ivory sulcatas?
Breeders who want to produce ivories of their own, and owners who want something rarer than a standard sulcata. A het female raised to adulthood can be paired with an ivory, or with another het, to produce ivory hatchlings.
Get on the list
Our 100% het for Ivory hatchlings are $235 with free overnight shipping, and they sell out quickly. Email info@sulcatas.com to hear when the next clutch is ready.