Genus Kinixys
Africa is home to 6 species of Hinged Tortoise, four of which are found in South Africa. These tortoises are unique in that their carapace has a hinge that allows the rear of their shell to close around their back legs and tail when retracted.
Perhaps surprisingly for tortoises, they are omnivorous and include a wide variety of vegetation and invertebrates, including snails and millipedes, and even tadpoles, in their diet.
Females lay small clutches of around 2-10 eggs, usually at the end of summer, with the hatchlings emerging in early spring.
All species are exploited by collection from the wild as food and for the international pet trade, while two species endemic to southern Africa further has to contend with habitat destruction throughout their limited distribution.
Bell’s Hinged Tortoise (K. belliana)
Bell’s Hinged Tortoise inhabits moist habitats ranging from savannas to dune forest, and in South Africa is restricted to the north of Kwazulu-Natal, though they occur much more widely in suitable habitat through the rest of the continent. Adults grow to about 22cm in length.
Lobatse Hinged Tortoise (K. lobatsiana)
The Lobatse Hinged Tortoise is found in South Africa’s Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West Provinces, as well as in a small portion of bordering Botswana. It inhabits rocky outcrops and hills in dry, thorny savannas and the IUCN considers it to be vulnerable, owing to a declining population size brought on by habitat pressure and harvesting. Adults grow to 20cm in length.
Natal Hinged Tortoise (K. natalensis)
The smallest of South Africa’s Hinged Tortoises, the Natal Hinged Tortoise grows to only about 15cm in length. It inhabits rocky savanna habitat and, with a limited distribution in the provinces of Kwazulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, the IUCN considers to be vulnerable due to threats to its habitat and collection from the wild.
Speke’s Hinged Tortoise (K. spekii)
Adult Speke’s Hinged Tortoises measure about 18cm in length. Their flattened carapaces allow them to hide in crevices or under logs when they aestivate during our cool and dry winters. This species too inhabits savanna habitats and, in South Africa, is found in Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
I liked your photo of the Natal hinged tortoise. Great lighting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very kind, thank you Siobhan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting to see these species in the same post so to be able compare then to each other. I really love seeing tortoises in the wild. It is so sad that wild tortoises are caught for the pet trade – even more so as the mortality rate in the trade is so high. Much better to leave them free.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree wholeheartedly, Carol. It is the case with most animals caught in the wild for the pet trade; only a very small fraction of them ever make it to “good homes”. And if people really loved those animals, they’d know the only “good home” for them is in their wild abodes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true what you say.
LikeLike
Baie interessant Dries! Lyk beslis nie soos die soort wat hier by ons voorkom nie!. Het lanklaas een in my tuin gehad!
LikeLike
Ons land het n ryke verskeidenheid skilpaaie, Aletta, en dis jammer dat so baie van hulle bedreig word. Selfs die wat voorheen volop was raak skaarser
LikeLike
Ja, dis baie hartseer
LikeLike
Interesting post, Dries. Their markings are so beautiful and unique and the hinge is fascinating. Sad that they are exploited. Great post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed a sad state of affairs, Jane, and not one that gets much attention as tortoises are not as “glamorous” as some other kinds of endangered species.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a beautiful tortoise, the patterns on it’s shell are very interesting. Fist time I’ve seen this tortoise. Very nice post, D. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, H.J. They really are a fascinating family!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such beautiful markings in the shells. Of course that’s part of what causes problems for them, as people want to have them. 🙁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aren’t we humans just so strange, Janet. If something is beautiful, we want to keep it all to ourselves, even if it kills that thing of beauty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yet again you’ve taught me something about wildlife, in this case the hinge on the shell of some species of tortoise. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to be of service, John – especially to nature lovers like yourself who has an appreciation for interesting facts about beautiful creatures!
LikeLike
An interesting insight to the fascinating world of tortoises.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Anne. They’re such ancient animals and, as you say, definitely fascinating.
LikeLike
Interressante dier waarvan ek nie veel weet nie omdat daar nooit eintlik wildes rond was waar ek gebly het nie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hierdie spesifieke skilpaaie is baie skaarser as die bergskilpad waarmee ons almal bekend is, Ineke.
LikeLike
Dankie vir die verduidelik. Dan is dit beslis besonderse fotos wat jul geneem het. Eintlik waardevolle fotos.
LikeLike
Somehow a snapping turtle found its way into our backyard a few years ago. My husband went to pick it up to carry it to the woods across the street. Darn near bit his fingers off! Gave me a whole new appreciation for turtles/tortoise. Shame about the declining population in this one. People collecting them for pet trade and/or food…..grrr-rrrrr.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish I could command an army of snapping turtles to sort out people collecting others like these for pets!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now that’s a great idea!!
LikeLike