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Hinge-back tortoise

Kinixys sp

Photo by RachaelB
Published on Project Noah
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-26.388, 31.1634

Field Notes

Notes:

I think this might be a Natal hinged tortoise but if someone could confirm, that would be great!

Species ID Suggestions

Speke's or Savanna Hinged Tortoise

Kinixys spekii

Hinge-back tortoise

Kinixys sp

Comments (5)

How big was it? The Natal hinged tortoise is usually smaller.
I haven't got my books with me just now but I would think the 2 flat ones are possibly both Pelusios sinuatus - the serrated hinged Terrapin but I'm not sure what other terrapins there are in RSA with those big plates. The tortoise may well be the mountain tortoise - Geochelone pardalis again I'm not familiar with the whole range of potential candidates.
Here are the other tortoise shots that I am unsure of: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/8889874 http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/8888909 http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/8882896
Thanks for the ID! I have a couple more tortoise shots which I believe are different that I will put up soon.
definitely a hinge-back tortoise, genus Kinixys, but there seems to be some controversy among the taxonomists as to how many species there should be; there seems to be a choice of 2 or 3 for southern africa. Came across an interesting fact relating to hinge-backs, they are omniverous munching insects such as slugs and ,millipedes in addition to the normal vegetarian diet of other tortoises
Photographed
PublishedFebruary 5, 2012

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