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K. belliana is native to sub-saharan Africa, spanning much of the continent. There are many species that were formerly considered K. belliana, but now are considered seperate species.
I keep three Bell's hingebacks. In general, they are distinguished by their round shells that are similar to other tortoises, however, they have a carapicial hinge between their scutes just above and past the bridge of the shell that allows them to "close down" their rear quarters. I have seen many different shapes sizes, and colors of bell's hingebacks. Some have more domed shells, while others have carapaces that are somewhat flattened. They can have either five or sometimes four toenails on their forefeet.
Care in Captivity
Diet
The requirements of most herbivorous tortoises holds true for Bell's hingeback.
Although omnivorous in the wild, I have had success feeding a mainly herbivorous
diet in captivity, although I do occasionally offer earthworms, slugs, and insects when I keep my tortoises outside during the summer months. Fresh greens from the grocery store make ideal food for these
tortoises unlike other grazing species. The base diet for my tortoises includes
collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, endive (also called chicory)
and escarole. Dandelions make an excellent food, and are often available in the grocery store for parts of the year. Greens like kale, kohlrabi, spinach, and even collards have the potential to cause long term health problems. I also feed as a base of the diet some type of squash. Yellow
summer sqash, acorn squash, and even pumpkin are good choices. Vegetebles like
green beans are also offered. Very occasionally, I offer fruit such as strawberries, apples, banana, and papaya. Although my tortoises are not picky eaters, sometimes
it is necessary to chop food items into small peices in order that the tortoise does not
just pick out their favorite foods. I supplement the food with a multi-vitamin
supplement, and a phosphorous free calcium supplement once a week. I strongly suggest going to the library or buying Andy C. Highfield's "The Tortoise and Turtle Feeding Manual." This book explains in great detail the key points about the dietary requirements of tortoises and turtles.
The
Housing
Tortoises can be kept in a variety of eclosures and situations if their needs
are met. Although many tortoise owners advise against using aquariums for their
tortoises, a large well ventilated aquarium (55 gallon) will do fine for 1 adult hingeback
tortoise in my experieces. If you have the time and patience, building a
custom built enclosure with wood sides that this wider that tall is a popular
route to go. I keep one Bell's hingeback in a 55 gallon aquarium with a cypress mulch substrate. My other two hingebacks live in a 2 x 4 foor custom built enclosure with cypress mulch as the substrate.
Like all reptiles, hingebacks need a place to hide and
feel comfortable. An eclosure should have two hiding places for one turtle, three for two tortoises, and so on.
I keep temperatures around 85-90degrees at the hot spot in my tortoises enclosures, and 70 at the cool
spot, with an ambient temperature hovering in the upper 70's to lower 80's.
Bell's hingebacks are savanah tortoises, meaning they live in an area with distinct
wet and dry seasons. Humitidy can vary on a six month cycle, Having one half of the year with high
humidity in the enclosure (70-80%), with the other sixth months having lower humidity. I have found that a moderate humidity level of 50-60% is adequate year round, however.
If kept outside during the summer
months in the eastern U.S., this humidity cycle is easy to duplicate.
Ideally, all tortoises should
be housed in an escape proof, predator proof outdoor enclosure whenever possible.
Having a water dish at all times in the enclosure is very important. The tortoises will often drink and defecate in the water,
so it is important that it be changed often. Again, Andy Highfield's book, Practical Encyclopedia of Keeping and Breeding Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles is one of the best general references to learn about the proper care of turtles and tortoises.
Importation
Until recently, Bell's hingeback tortoises were imported in great numbers and sold in pet stores. Unfortunately, these tortoises were often heavily parasitized both internally and externally. They quickly died in the hands of an unexperienced caretaker that didn't understand the needs of a freshly imported tortoise. Bell's hingeback is currently listed under CITES Appendix II, which means it can be exported from the native country if CITES and the home country believes the trade is sustainable.
By chance, not related to conservation, in March 2000, the importation of Bell's hingebacks was halted by the USDA. The administration, in the interest of American cattle farmers, blocked the import of three tortoise species, including Kinixys belliana, that were found to possess tick parasites that carried a pathogen that caused Heartwater disease in cows. Therefore, Bell's hingebacks are now rarely seen in pet stores, but have been replaced with the Home's Hingeback.
The USDA also banned the interstate movement of three species of land tortoises. After this emergency rule, interstate movement of K. belliana is allowed, if they are accompanied by a certificate signed by a Federal or accredited veterinarian. The text of the final USDA ruling is given below:
[Federal Register: July 21, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 141)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 45275-45277]
PART 74--PROHIBITION OF INTERSTATE MOVEMENT OF LAND TORTOISES
Sec. 74.1 General prohibition.
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 111-113, 114a, 115, 117, 120, 122-126, 134b, 134f; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.2(d).
Sec. 74.1 General prohibition.
The interstate movement of leopard tortoise (Geochelone pardalis), African spurred tortoise (Geochelone sulcata), and Bell's hingeback tortoise (Kinixys belliana) is prohibited except when tortoises are accompanied by a health certificate signed by a Federal or accredited veterinarian stating that the tortoises have been examined by that veterinarian and found free of ticks.
Done in Washington, DC, this 17th day of July 2000.
Craig A. Reed, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 00-18566 Filed 7-20-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-U
Bell's Hingeback, although no longer imported into the United States, is still be exported from African Countries in huge numbers. Here are the current numbers take from the CITES web site. CITES is an international agreement between countries that regulates the trade in live animals and plants and animal and plant products.
THE SHOCKING EXPORT QUOTAS!
| Year |
Country |
Number |
Notes |
| 2001 |
Benin |
7124 |
Ranched |
| 2001 |
Dem. Rep. Congo |
500 |
Live |
| 2001 |
Ghana |
140 |
Live, Wild Taken |
| 2001 |
Mozambique |
3000 |
Captive-Bred |
| 2001 |
Mozambique |
7000 |
live |
| 2001 |
Togo |
3900 |
Ranched |
| 2001 |
Togo |
700 |
Wild-Taken |
| 2001 |
Tanzania |
224 |
F1 Specimens (Captive Bred progeny of Wild Caught Parents? |
| 2001 |
Total |
19,888! |
All Categories |
That is alot of tortoises per year! These quotas remain relatively the same each year! I highly question the sustainability of exporting hingeback tortoises!!!
As you can see, these tortoises are still highly threatened by exportation. The demand has ceased from the United States because of the import ban, but countries in Europe probably fuel the demand currently.
Back to Hingeback Central
Here is real time weather data for Western African Countries, which is where K. b. nogueyi dwells.