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ReptileTerrestrialIntermediate
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Lobatse Hingeback Tortoise
Kinixys lobatsiana
A South African tortoise with a flexible rear carapace hinge to protect its hind legs. This secretive, omnivorous reptile thrives in savanna-themed terrariums with dry hides.
Class:Testudines
Order:Testudines
Family:Testudinidae
Genus:Kinixys
Species:Kinixys lobatsiana
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
50 - 70 %
Day temperature
15 - 30 °C
Ambient temperature
15 - 30 °C
Night temperature
19 - 21 °C
Basking spot
30 - 32 °C
Adult size
16.7 cm
Minimum enclosure
>= 250 L
UVB
High
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: This species is native to southern Africa, with populations primarily concentrated in eastern Botswana and northern South Africa. It inhabits rocky hillsides, dry acacia savannas, and thorny scrublands, finding shelter under rocks or in abandoned burrows during dry seasons.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Classified in the family Testudinidae and the genus Kinixys. Scientifically known as Kinixys lobatsiana, it was long considered a regional variant of Kinixys belliana. Genetic sequencing has elevated it to a distinct species, adapted to the specific climate of the South African highveld.
Behavior and Habits: Diurnal and terrestrial. It is a highly secretive tortoise that spends much of its time hidden in thick vegetation or rocky crevices. Unlike most strictly herbivorous tortoises, it is omnivorous, actively searching for fallen fruits, fungi, and small invertebrates, especially after rain.
Morphology: Features an elongated carapace measuring 18-22 cm in adults. The defining feature is a flexible hinge located at the rear of the upper shell. This anatomical adaptation allows the tortoise to close the back of its shell downwards, fully sealing off its soft hind legs and tail from predators.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: An indoor enclosure of at least 150x80 cm is required for a single adult. The substrate should mimic a savanna floor, using a mixture of topsoil, play sand, and peat moss covered with leaf litter. Provide several hides, such as hollow cork logs and stable rock caves.
Lighting and Heating: Provide moderate to high UVB lighting (8-10%) on a 12-hour cycle. Maintain a temperature gradient with a cool area of 26-28°C (79-82°F) and a localized basking zone of 30-32°C (86-90°F). Nighttime temperatures should drop slightly but stay above 20°C (68°F).
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain relative humidity around 60-70%. Spray the enclosure with warm water several times a week. A shallow, heavy water dish must be provided for daily drinking and soaking. Regular soaking helps prevent kidney issues and dehydration.
Feeding and Supplementation: Omnivorous diet. Feed a mix of 70% leafy greens, weeds, dandelion, and edible flowers, and 30% animal protein such as live snails with shells, earthworms, and occasional gut-loaded crickets. Dust food with calcium three times a week and vitamin D3 weekly.
Compatibility: Best housed individually due to their shy nature. If keeping a group, provide a very large enclosure and ensure there is only one male to prevent aggressive ramming. Do not cohabitate with other tortoise genera to prevent cross-contamination of pathogens.
Health and Common Diseases: Prone to dehydration and respiratory infections if kept in drafty or cold conditions. Shell rot can occur if the substrate is constantly soggy. Captive-born specimens are highly preferred, as wild-caught individuals often carry heavy parasite loads.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
This species is native to southern Africa, with populations primarily concentrated in eastern Botswana and northern South Africa. It inhabits rocky hillsides, dry acacia savannas, and thorny scrublands, finding shelter under rocks or in abandoned burrows during dry seasons.
Origin
Africa and Madagascar
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 16.7 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 16.7 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 16.7 cm for this species, recorded as straight carapace length (SCL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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