Biology
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The secretive Home's hinge-back tortoise has adapted its behaviour to tolerate the high heats of its tropical environment. Overheating is a real risk, and so the tortoise rests and moves in the shade to avoid accumulating heat (6). When water is not available, Home's hinge-back tortoise may bury itself below ground and emerge again when the rains come (5). Home's hinge-back tortoise is omnivorous, consuming both animal and plant food, which is located using their sense of smell as they make straight, darting jabs with their head (2). Oval, brittle-shelled eggs are laid and incubated for at least five months. The tiny hatchlings, less than five centimetres long, have flattened, brown carapaces, with no hinge (2).
Conservation
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Although Home's hinge-back tortoise is listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), meaning that international trade in this species should be carefully monitored (3), further action is necessary to ensure its survival, such as declaring it a protected species in all countries of occurrence (1). Habitat conservation efforts, such as the establishment and enforcement of protected areas, are also important, but must be coupled with the control of hunting activities if populations of this remarkable tortoise are to survive (7).
Description
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Home's hinge-back tortoise belongs to a unique group of tortoises that can close themselves entirely within their shells. As their name suggests, they possess a hinge at the back of their carapace (or shell), that can close off the tortoise's vulnerable parts, providing excellent protection from potential predators (4). The carapace varies in colour from dark brown to tan (2), and is distinguished by the pronounced vertical drop at the end (5). The shape of the carapace also cleverly channels rainwater towards its head for drinking (5). Each forelimb bears five claws and the small head has a hooked upper jaw; both the limbs and head are brown to yellow (2). Female Home's hinge-back tortoises are larger than males, but males possess longer and thicker tails (2).
Habitat
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Home's hinge-back tortoise is a forest tortoise, generally observed in shady places in lowland evergreen forest (6)
Range
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Occurs in West Africa; from Liberia, east to Cameroon, and in the Democratic Republic of Congo (1) (2).
Status
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Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List 2007 (1), and listed on Appendix II of CITES (3).
Threats
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Populations of Home's hinge-back tortoise are currently declining throughout much of its range, primarily as a result of habitat loss and intensive harvesting (1). They are captured, even within protected areas, for human consumption, traditional medicine, and for the international pet trade (1) (7). Habitat loss arises as a result of industrial expansion, agriculture and deforestation (1). Nigerian populations appear to be particularly threatened, due to them inhabiting fragmented forest patches, (rather than the extensive forest found in the Congo), and facing stronger hunting pressure as a result of greater human populations (7). The Home's hinge-back tortoise appears to be especially vulnerable to humans during the dry season when the swamps are dry, and humans can access nearly all areas of the forest (7).
Home's hinge-back tortoise
provided by wikipedia EN
Home's hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys homeana) is a species of tortoise in the family Testudinidae. The species is endemic to Africa.
Etymology
The specific name, homeana, is in honor of English surgeon and naturalist Everard Home.[3]
Geographic range
K. homeana is found in Benin, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and possibly Togo.
Habitat
The natural habitats of Home's hinge-back tortoise are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical swamps, and plantations.
Ecology and life history
Home's hinge-back is naturally attracted to red or pink flowers. It prefers low light and often moves in early morning or dusk, preferring to stay hidden the rest of the day.
Diet
In captivity the diet of K. homeana may include, banana, guava, watermelon, black mushrooms, cooked sweet potato, cooked potato, and cooked or raw squash, and sources of animal protein such as earthworms, mealworms, crickets, snails and fish.[4]
Conservation status
K. homeana is threatened by habitat loss.
References
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^ Luiselli, L.; Agyekumhene, A.; Akani, G.C.; Allman, P.; Diagne, T.; Eniang, E.A.; Mifsud, D.A.; Petrozzi, F.; Segniagbeto, G.H. (2021). "Kinixys homeana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T11003A18341580. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T11003A18341580.en. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
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^ Fritz, Uwe; Havaš, Peter (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World" (PDF). Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 286. ISSN 1864-5755. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 May 2011. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
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^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Kinixys homeana, p. 125).
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^ Hasenstab, Sara, New at the Zoo: Home's Hinge-back Tortoises, National Zoological Park (United States), retrieved August 4, 2019
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Home's hinge-back tortoise: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
Home's hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys homeana) is a species of tortoise in the family Testudinidae. The species is endemic to Africa.
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- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
