Hinge-back Tortoises

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Posted by Bill Zovickian on August 10, 2000 at 10:03:48:

In Reply to: Yeah it is definetly a type of hinged back posted by Lindsay on August 10, 2000 at 06:03:27:

The identification of hinge-backs can be difficult, especially from verbal descriptions. However, look at your animal from the side and notice the "drop-off" at the rear of the carapace. If it drops nearly straight down beginning from a point at the front of the 5th vertebral scute, it is K. homeana. If the drop is more gradual, you may have K. erosa. I believe that only more mature specimens of erosa would have the really flared and scalloped looking anterior marginals. K. erosa males can reach nearly 14" in length and females 10-12". Does your tortoise have a nuchal scute or not? Also please check the number of truly enlarged scales on the forelimb (from the elbow joint to the foot. K. homeana has a nuchal and has 5-8 enlarged scales on the forelimb, K. erosa has no nuchal and 3-5 enlarged scales.

A good book to look at is Turtles of the World by Ernst and Barbour. There are photos of the 4 main types beginning on p. 229. This could be a great help.

As a rule, hinge-backs like humidity. They also like to feel very secure, so use of a hide box similar to what is used for snakes can be helpful. They like water and some even swim in it voluntarily if it is possible. They are known to eat some protein. You can try worms, slugs, even mealworms. Another thing it may eat would be mushrooms. Get some fresh white button mushrooms in a grocery store and cut them up to a size it can easily eat. See if there is any interest. If you live where you can get wild mushrooms outside, try those. The key is to experiment to find what it likes. It must first feel safe and secure, however, then it should feed for you. I have seen K. erosa successfully maintained in tanks where 50% of the area was water, and the other 50% land. A separation barrier and ramp was made with bricks to allow the animal to access the land area from the water. This had a glass cover over 2/3 of the top which maintained high humidity also.

I hope this information is helpful. Sorry it's a bit long!

Follow Ups:

It slopes pretty gradually Lindsay 08/10/00 (7)
- More Identification aids Bill Zovickian 08/10/00 (4)
  - Re: More Identification aids Lindsay 08/10/00 (3)
    - Re: Tortoise ID Bill Zovickian 08/10/00 (0)
    - Re: More Identification aids Terry 08/10/00 (1)
      - Re: More Identification aids/ more Terry 08/10/00 (0)
- Nuchal Scute Bill Zovickian 08/10/00 (1)
  - Re: Nuchal Scute/Pics Terry 08/10/00 (0)

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: The identification of hinge-backs can be difficult, especially from verbal descriptions. However, look at your animal from the side and notice the "drop-off" at the rear of the carapace. If it drops nearly straight down beginning from a point at the front of the 5th vertebral scute, it is K. homeana. If the drop is more gradual, you may have K. erosa. I believe that only more mature specimens of erosa would have the really flared and scalloped looking anterior marginals. K. erosa males can reach nearly 14" in length and females 10-12". Does your tortoise have a nuchal scute or not? Also please check the number of truly enlarged scales on the forelimb (from the elbow joint to the foot. K. homeana has a nuchal and has 5-8 enlarged scales on the forelimb, K. erosa has no nuchal and 3-5 enlarged scales. : A good book to look at is Turtles of the World by Ernst and Barbour. There are photos of the 4 main types beginning on p. 229. This could be a great help. : As a rule, hinge-backs like humidity. They also like to feel very secure, so use of a hide box similar to what is used for snakes can be helpful. They like water and some even swim in it voluntarily if it is possible. They are known to eat some protein. You can try worms, slugs, even mealworms. Another thing it may eat would be mushrooms. Get some fresh white button mushrooms in a grocery store and cut them up to a size it can easily eat. See if there is any interest. If you live where you can get wild mushrooms outside, try those. The key is to experiment to find what it likes. It must first feel safe and secure, however, then it should feed for you. I have seen K. erosa successfully maintained in tanks where 50% of the area was water, and the other 50% land. A separation barrier and ramp was made with bricks to allow the animal to access the land area from the water. This had a glass cover over 2/3 of the top which maintained high humidity also. : I hope this information is helpful. Sorry it's a bit long! : BZ

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