African Hingeback Tortoise
(Kinixys homeana)

The African hingeback tortoise has a medium to reddish brown angular shell which slopes greatly. The most unique characteristic of the African hingeback tortoise is the hinge that is across the carapace. The hingback tortoises are the only living turtles to have this hinge on the carapace. It is a band of flexible connective tissue located between the fourth, fifth, seventh, and eighth coastal scales that aid in the protection of head and limbs. The legs of the African hingeback tortoise are also more slender than most other tortoises and gives them and strange walk. The tail end has a club-like tubercle and the head is usually light in color. The African hingeback tortoise are found in Nigeria, Congo, and Ivory Coast and are generally less than one foot in length.

Difficulty

NOVICE to MODERATE: The African Hingeback tortoise's smaller size make it an excellent choice for hobbyists to keep. African Hingeback tortoise do require specialized lighting.

Requirements

An enclosure, such as:

• Custom constructed enclosure

Substrate, such as:

• Aspen shavings
• Sand/Soil mix
• Peat Moss
• Crushed Coconut Fiber
• Orchid Bark

A heating element, such as:

• UV producing bulb
• Under the tank heater
• Incandescent heat bulb
• Ceramic infrared heat emitters

Enclosure

Space requirements for the African hingeback tortoise should be at least three square feet per inch of shell length. When possible, it's best to keep your African hingeback tortoise outside where temperatures are not too extreme. To help maintan the humidity requirements, you may want to put plastic sheet covering over the top of the enclosure. Plants will also help achieve high humidity and also provide shade. African hingeback tortoises can actually be semi-aquatic so it is important to give time a place to soak or swim. A secure hiding place will also help your African hingeback tortoise feel safe and secure.

Substrate

The substrate or bedding that you use is one of the most important parts of your African Hingeback tortoise's home, since your tortoise will be spending all of its time on it. Some of the most common include crushed coconut shell, sphagnum moss, and orchid bark. These substrates will help to maintain a higher humidity level for the African hingeback tortoise as well as let it dig. Sphagnum moss can also be used to help raise the humidity to the levels to 70% to 80% that African hingeback tortoises require. Be sure to clean it often to prevent mold and bacteria growth.

Heating and Light

African hingeback tortoises should have daytime temperatures of 75°F to 80°F with a 80°F to 85°F basking area under a spotlight. Nightime temperatures should be 65°F to 75°F. African hingeback tortoises require UV light for proper metabolic and bone development. This can be provided with fluorecent bulbs or mercury vapor spot lights which also provide heat. A spotlight with an appropriate wattage incandescnet bulb or ceramic emitter can be used to provide heat. Many hobbyists will install thermometers or thermostats in the enclsosure to be able to accurately maintain these temperatures. Heated rocks and caves are never recommended for your African hingeback tortoise as they can lead to burns.

Diet

African hingeback tortoises are omnivorous. Some of their favorite prey items include crickets, earthworms, crickets, snails, zoophobas, mealworms, and commercial turtle food. As for plant matter bananas, tomatoes, peaches, mushrooms, lettuce, melon, sliced oranges, zucchini, red/green sweet pepper and a small amount of papaya. Vitamins should be given every week. Also a cuttlebone in the enclosures will provide a place for the African hingeback tortoise to trim its tomia (beak) and also provide an additional source of calcium.