A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Kinixys natalensis
This tortoise is rare and considered near-threatened. It inhabits a narrow range, and is in decline due to habitat destruction and collecting - for food and for the pet trade. It is one of the smallest of the Hinged Tortoises, averaging between 8 and 14 cm in length. This one is still not adult. Its hinge, on the underside of its shell, is also poorly developed compared to its relatives, being restricted to the marginals. Females are larger than males and usually more boldly marked. Unlike the other hinged tortoises, the males do not have a concave belly.
savanna/woodland growing on block terrain. a few hundred meters from a small river.
This rare tortoise is naturally found in the area around the far eastern border of South Africa. It occurs mainly in the province of Kwazulu-Natal but also in the eastern parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, as well as in the neighbouring countries of Swaziland and border of Mozambique. In its natural habitat, it inhabits rocky, dry areas. It also hibernates in winter.
I hope so too Tom. That would be great for the reserve too. Bhagya, I am glad you love him :) The swimming moves they do when lifted up in the air is very cute to see irl.
What a cute little tortoise! I hope he grows old and the population of these rare tortoises grows.
Great news Kate! Cool to have a rare specimen in the collection, and thank you for the time and effort you put into the ID confirmation! What would Swazilands flora and fauna be without you and the work you put into the SNTC database Kate!?!
Thank you for the very kind comments Carol, Karen and Kdpicturemaker!
ID confirmed - this is a young Natal Hinged Tortoise (Kinixys
natalensis), confirmed by its tricuspid beak and the gular scutes (scales at the front) are more than twice as wide as they are deep (long).
Ye, I remember Pam told me about that. I have never seen the adult Natal Hinged there (apart from your photos) so it is very difficult for me to tell them apart. Looking forward to see what happens! Thank you for last time Kate! Best ones!!!
I think this might be the Natal Hinged Tortoise, due to size and what looks like a tricuspid beak, but I am waiting for confirmation on this.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natal_hinge...
http://www.sntc.org.sz/reptiles/speciesi...
Haha. well.... Me and Pam might be harmless, but do you want to meet a SA bushman in the darkness?
Spotted on Mar 29, 2014
Submitted on May 4, 2014
