Forest hinge-back tortoise

The forest hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys erosa), also known commonly as the serrated hinge-back tortoise or Schweigger's tortoise, is a species of tortoise in the family Testudinidae. The species is indigenous to the tropical forests and marshes of central and western Africa.

Forest hinge-back tortoise
At The Reptile Zoo
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Suborder: Cryptodira
Superfamily: Testudinoidea
Family: Testudinidae
Genus: Kinixys
Species:
K. erosa
Binomial name
Kinixys erosa
(Schweigger, 1812)
Synonyms[2]
  • Testudo erosa
    Schweigger, 1812
  • Testudo schoepfii
    Fitzinger, 1826 (nomen nudum)
  • Kinixys castanea
    Bell, 1827
  • Kinixys erosa
    — Gray, 1831
  • Cinixys erosa
    — A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1835
  • Cinixys (Cinixys) castanea
    — Fitzinger, 1835
  • Kinixys belliana erosa
    — Nutaphand, 1979

A different species, Psammobates oculifer, is known by a similar common name, serrated tortoise.[3]

Geographic range and habitat

The forest hinge-back tortoise is indigenous to the tropical rainforests of Sub-Saharan Africa. Here it is often found in marshes and river banks, where it spends much of its time buried under roots and logs.

Its natural range extends from northern Angola, throughout the Congo Basin, as far east as the shores of Lake Victoria, and throughout the West African forests as far as Senegal. Specifically, it is found in Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Uganda, possibly Benin, possibly Guinea-Bissau, and possibly Togo.

Behavior

K. erosa can arch its back 90 degrees downwards to protect its tail and hind legs while sleeping and to protect itself from predators. It is an excellent swimmer and can dive and navigate rainforest water-bodies to search for food.

Reproduction

The female K. erosa lays up to 4 eggs on the ground, covered in leaves.

Diet

The forest hinge-back tortoise is omnivorous, feeding on edible leaves, grass, invertebrates, carrion, weeds, and fruits.

Threats

K. erosa is hunted locally for bush meat, and its range has retreated due to clearance of its rainforest habitat. The forest hinge-back tortoise is considered to be threatened in the long-term, primarily due to habitat destruction.[4]

References
  1. Tortoise.; Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (1996). "Kinixys erosa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1996: e.T11002A3238083. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T11002A3238083.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. Fritz, Uwe; Havaš, Peter (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World" (PDF). Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 285–286. ISSN 1864-5755. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-01. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  3. JCVI.org (Downloaded on 28 February 2010.)
  4. Marcot, Bruce G. "Two Turtles from Western Democratic Republic of the Congo: Pelusios chapini and Kinixys erosa ". (Includes photos).
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