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ReptileTerrestrialIntermediate
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Speke's Hingeback Tortoise
Kinixys spekii
Native to African savannas, Speke's hinge-back tortoise features a unique cartilaginous carapace hinge. It is diurnal, terrestrial, and highly active during wet seasons.
Class:Testudines
Order:Testudines
Family:Testudinidae
Genus:Kinixys
Species:Kinixys spekii
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
55 - 75 %
Day temperature
18 - 30 °C
Ambient temperature
18 - 30 °C
Night temperature
20 - 22 °C
Basking spot
30 - 32 °C
Adult size
20 cm
Minimum enclosure
>= 250 L
UVB
High
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Kinixys spekii is native to Eastern and Central Africa, found across Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and northern South Africa. It inhabits dry savannas, wooded grasslands, and rocky outcrops in subtropical regions.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the family Testudinidae. The genus Kinixys is distinguished by a specialized cartilaginous hinge on the carapace. Genetic research supports its status as a distinct species adapted to seasonal, semi-arid savannahs.
Behavior and Habits: Diurnal and terrestrial. They are highly active during the warm, wet season, particularly after rainfall. During the dry season, they aestivate in deep burrows, rock crevices, or hollow logs to conserve moisture.
Morphology: Features a somewhat flattened, elongated carapace. The hinge is located on the back of the shell, allowing the rear portion to close down over the legs. Shell coloration ranges from yellow-brown to dark brown with zoning rings. Max length is 6-7 inches (16-18 cm).
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a large indoor enclosure or outdoor pen of at least 4x2x2 feet (120x60x50 cm). Substrate should consist of a deep, well-draining soil-sand mix covered with leaf litter and hay. Provide low bushes and hollow logs for shelter.
Lighting and Heating: Provide a thermal gradient of 24-28°C (75-82°F) with a localized basking spot of 30-32°C (86-90°F). Nighttime temperature should drop to 20°C (68°F). A high-output 10% UVB bulb is mandatory to prevent metabolic diseases.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain relative humidity between 55% and 75%. Mist the enclosure regularly. A shallow, heavy water dish must be provided for drinking and soaking, which is essential to stimulate defecation and prevent kidney issues.
Feeding and Supplementation: Omnivorous diet. Feed a variety of weeds, grasses, dandelions, clover, and leafy greens. Unlike many tortoises, they consume animal matter: offer earthworms, snails, and gut-loaded insects once a week.
Compatibility: Can be kept in small groups consisting of one male and two or three females in a large enclosure. Avoid keeping multiple males together, as they will fight and stress each other during the breeding season.
Health and Common Diseases: Pyramiding of the shell is a major risk from a dry environment or high-protein diet. Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) can occur from lack of UVB. Intestinal parasites are common and require regular fecal checkups.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Kinixys spekii is native to Eastern and Central Africa, found across Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and northern South Africa. It inhabits dry savannas, wooded grasslands, and rocky outcrops in subtropical regions.
Origin
Africa and Madagascar
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 20 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 20 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 20 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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