- Forest hinge-back tortoise
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Forest hinge-back tortoise Conservation status Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Testudines Family: Testudinidae Genus: Kinixys Species: K. erosa Binomial name Kinixys erosa
(Schweigger, 1812)The Forest Hinge-back Tortoise (Kinixys erosa), serrated hinge-back tortoise, or Schweigger's tortoise is a species of turtle in the Testudinidae family. Another species, Psammobates oculifer, also goes by the same name of Serrated tortoise.[1]
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.
Contents
Distribution and habitat
The hinge-back tortoise is found in sub-Saharan deserts and savannahs. They are probably found in rainforests.
Behavior
The hingeback tortoise can arch its back 90 degrees downwards to protect its tail and hind legs while sleeping and to protect itself from predators.
Diet
The hingeback tortoise are herbivores, feeding on vegetation. They also feed on grass, roots, bark, weeds, and flowers.
Threats
K. erosa is hunted locally for bush meat, although they are not endangered or threatened. The hinge-back tortoise will eventually be endangered.[2]
Notes
- ^ JCVI.org (Downloaded on 28 Feb. 2010.)
- ^ Bruce G. Marcot, "Two Turtles from Western Democratic Republic of the Congo: Pelusios chapini and Kinixys erosa." Includes photos.
Source
- Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group 1996. Kinixys erosa. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. (Downloaded on 29 July 2007.)
External links
- reptilien-zierfische.de: Stachelrand-Gelenkschildkröte
- tortoisetrust: Kinixys erosa (Schweigger 1812). A captive breeding experience (English)
- Forest Hingeback Tortoise (Serrated Hingeback, Schweigger's Hingeback, Eroded Hingeback) Bilder und CITES-Hinweise (English)
- Forest hinge-back tortoise at the Encyclopedia of Life
Tortoise family of turtles (Testudinidae) Genus Species of the Tortoise family
Aldabrachelys Astrochelys Angonoka tortoise · Radiated tortoiseChelonoidis Chersina Cylindraspis† Geochelone Gopherus Homopus Beaked cape tortoise · Berger's cape tortoise · Boulenger's cape tortoise · Karoo cape tortoise · Speckled padloper tortoiseIndotestudo Elongated tortoise · Forsten's tortoise · Travancore tortoiseKinixys Bell's hinge-back tortoise · Forest hinge-back tortoise · Home's hinge-back tortoise · Lobatse hinge-back tortoise · Natal hinge-back tortoise · Speke's hinge-back tortoiseMalacochersus Manouria Psammobates Pyxis Stigmochelys Testudo Phylogenetic arrangement of turtles based on turtles of the world 2010 update: annotated checklist of taxonomy, synonymy, distribution and conservation status. Key: †=extinct. 1=classification unclear Order Testudines (turtles) Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Reptilia · Subclass: Anapsida · Order: Testudines Suborder SuperfamilySubfamily
Cryptodira Chelydra · MacrochelysCaretta · Chelonia · Eretmochelys · Lepidochelys · NatatorDermochelysDermatemydidaeDermatemysStaurotypinaeClaudius · StaurotypusBatagur · Cuora · Cyclemys · Geoclemys · Geoemyda · Hardella · Heosemys · Leucocephalon · Malayemys · Mauremys · Melanochelys · Morenia · Notochelys · Orlitia · Pangshura · Rhinoclemmys · Sacalia · Siebenrockiella · VijayachelysAldabrachelys · Astrochelys · Chelonoidis · Chersina · Cylindraspis · Geochelone · Gopherus · Homopus · Indotestudo · Kinixys · Malacochersus · Manouria · Psammobates · Pyxis · Stigmochelys · TestudoTrionychiaCarettochelyidaeCarettochelysTrionychinaePleurodira ChelidinaeChelodininaeHydromedusinaePelomedusa · PelusiosPhylogenetic arrangement based on turtles of the world 2010 update: annotated checklist. Extinct turtles not included.
See also List of Testudines families
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WikiProjectCategories:- IUCN Red List data deficient species
- Kinixys
- Reptiles of Africa
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