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 African
Hinge-Back Tortoise
(Kinixys
belliana)
Bell's Hinge-Back Tortoise is one of the
most common tortoise species available.
It is a moderately large African tortoise.
Adults measure about 9" in diameter, and
weigh up to 4½ pounds. Their native
habitats are the African savannahs and
grasslands. Because these areas are
subject to rather dramatic seasonal changes,
many hinge-backs become inactive during the
cool winter months.
A healthy hinge-back should feel heavy and
solid. A light or hollow shell
may indicate dehydration or malnourishment.
Its eyes should be open and clear, or should
open within several seconds of initial
handling. The nostrils should also be
clear. If possible, open the
tortoise's mouth, and check its tongue and
palate for signs of infection.
Hinge-backs may be very shy, so use patience
when inspecting its head and legs for
possible injuries.
Habitat
Tortoises do everything slowly.
Unfortunately, this can include becoming
comfortable with their new surroundings.
It may take weeks or even months before your
hinge-back is fully established in its new
habitat. Be patient! Hinge-backs
are initially very reclusive, but they are
intelligent and affectionate animals that
will eventually respond to your caring.
Glass tanks work well as an initial
container. But think ahead! Your
cute little tortoise is going to grow.
Make sure its new home is at least four
times as long, and twice as wide, as its
eventual adult size. If properly
cleaned and maintained, a 30-gallon tank
will usually suffice for your hinge-back's
entire life.
Tortoises are ground-huggers. So
keeping your substrate clean is essential,
otherwise your tortoise will smear feces all
around the tank. Newspaper or paper
towels make a practical substrate.
Utility carpeting is another low-cost,
practical solution.
In nature, tortoises receive heat and UV
from the sun. And they like it hot,
between 85 - 90º F during the day and 75 -
80º at night. Provide heat by using
overhead heat lamps with UVB bulbs or
ceramic heating elements, or undertank
heating pads. Some tortoises enjoy
basking, while others avoid direct sunlight,
so you may have to experiment to see which
your rotroise prefers. Avoid heat
rocks--they have no thermostat controls, so
they can singe a tortoise's belly.
Hinge-backs prefer fairly high humidity,
between 60% - 90%. Maintain your
tortoise's humidity by misting its tank
several times daily, or covering most of its
tank with plastic sheeting. (Remember
to leave adequate openings for heat lamps
and ventilation.)
In nature, hinge-backs eat both plants and
insects. Fruits such as strawberries
and cantaloupe are often popular foods.
Other tasty fruits and vegetables include
tomatoes, bananas, mangos, green beans,
raspberries, and blueberries.
High-calcium leaves such as dandelion,
clover, escarole, chicory, kale, turnip
greens, mustard greens, and collard greens
are a necessary part of their diet.
Fresh grass clippings, alfalfa, or timothy
hay (be sure to avoid pesticides!) add
important fiber. You can supplement
this leafy diet with insects such as snails,
crickets, mealworms, earthworms, pinkie
mice, and other small invertebrates.
Note: While your tortoise is
acclimating to its new environment, leave it
alone to eat. It will retreat from its
food or water dish if it feels it's being
observed.
Provide your tortoise with a large, shallow
water bowl. Tortoises enjoy immersing
themselves in water, but they will often use
the bowl for a toilet. So make sure
the water bowl is always kept clean.
Permanent Housing
Once your tortoise feels comfortable in its
new surroundings, customize its enclosure by
adding bark mulch and plants.
Tortoises seem to enjoy burrowing, and bark
mulch is visually appealing. Pothos
plants are a safe, pleasing addition which
help retain humidity. Make sure to
keep your tortoise's food and water bowls
away from the mulch substrate, so that it
doesn't accidentally ingest mulch with its
food.
If possible, design an outdoor enclosure for
your hinge-back. Keep in mind that
these tortoises are excellent climbers and
burrowers. Plan your enclosure
accordingly, with tall half-buried outer
barriers that they can neither climb over
nor dig beneath. They are most active
at dawn and dusk, and retreat to shady areas
during the day.
Hinge-back tortoises can live for many
years. They are very intelligent, and
can learn to recognize their names and
respond to simple commands. With care,
patience, and training, your tortoise can
become a loyal lifelong companion. |
