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Hingeback
Tortoise
Kinixys spp. |
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| general
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| description |
In chelonians, many families
have developed a hinged plastron, which affords greater
protection to the vulnerable limbs and body of the turtle.
However, one genus, Kinixys, is unique among turtles and
tortoises in that it has turned that protective adaptation
upside down. They develop a hinge that allows them to
close the rear of their carapace, protecting their back
legs. |
| distribution |
central and southern Africa |
| adult
size |
16 - 32 cm carapax length |
| hatchling
size |
1.5" - 2" |
| species |
belliana -- Bell's Hingeback
Tortoise
erosa -- Serrated Hingeback Tortoise
homeana -- Home's Hingeback Tortoise
natalensis -- Natal Hingeback Tortoise
spekii -- Speki's Hingeback Tortoise |
| housing |
| natural
habitats |
Terrestrial;
primarily in grassland and savannah regions, some individuals
in coastal forests |
| cage
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Cage should be large instead
of tall because it does not climb high much. (e.g. Wooden
Terrarium, Glass
Terrarium) |
| substrate |
Soil, gravel, sand (e.g.
Repti Sand, Calci-Sand),
Cypress or eucalyptus mulch, barks (e.g. Repti
Bark, Coconut
Bark), compressed paper granules (e.g. Good
Mews) |
| activity
period |
Daytime (diurnal);
12 - 14 hours each day with direct natural sunlight or
UV lamp (e.g. ReptiSun 5.0,
UV Heat Bulb) |
| temperature |
32 - 35 ¢XC -- basking
spot (e.g. Basking
Spot Lamp)
27 - 29 ¢XC -- cooler area (e.g. Daylight
Blue Bulb)
24 - 26 ¢XC -- at night (e.g. Nightlight
Red Bulb, Infrared
Heat Lamp, Ceramic
Heat Emitter) |
| humidity |
low ; except K. erosa
& K. homeana |
| water
dish |
Optional. A small water
dish (e.g. Rock water
dish) can be left in the cage sometimes but not all
the time |
| hiding
place |
Optional. Possibllites
include caves (e.g. Habba
Hut, Heat Cave), etc |
| diet |
| diet |
Herbivorous |
| primary
food |
Grass, Dark Leafy Greens
(e.g. dandelions, mustards, collards, turnips, kales),
Box Turtle & Tortoise
Food , Tortoise Formula
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| occasional
food |
Pricky Pears, Carrots,
Apples (with skin), Peaches, Berries, Squashes, Beans
(with skin), Peas (with skin), Almonds |
| never
feed on |
Very Juicy Fruits, Tomatos,
Bananas, Cabbages, Cucumbers, Bok Choy, Iceberg Lettuces,
Rhubarbs, Broccoli, etc |
| reproduction |
| reproduction
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Oviparous |
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