forest hinge-back tortoise
{{Short description|Species of tortoise}}
{{Not to be confused|Serrated tortoise}}
{{refimprove|date=January 2022}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Kinixys erosa 13137126.jpg
| image_caption =
| status = DD
| status_system = IUCN2.3
| genus = Kinixys
| species = erosa
| authority = (Schweigger, 1812)
| synonyms = {{Collapsible list
|framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
|1=Testudo erosa
{{small|Schweigger, 1812}} |2=Testudo schoepfii
{{small|Fitzinger, 1826}} (nomen nudum)|3=Kinixys castanea
{{small|Bell, 1827}} |4=Kinixys erosa
{{small|— Gray, 1831}} |5=Cinixys erosa
{{small|— A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1835}} |6=Cinixys (Cinixys) castanea
{{small|— Fitzinger, 1835}}. |7=Kinixys belliana erosa
{{small|— Nutaphand, 1979}}
}}
}}
The forest hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys erosa), also known commonly as the serrated hinge-back tortoise or Schweigger's tortoise, is a species of tortoise in the family Testudinidae. The species is indigenous to the tropical forests and marshes of central and western Africa.
Geographic range and habitat
The forest hinge-back tortoise is indigenous to the tropical rainforests of Sub-Saharan Africa. Here it is often found in marshes and river banks, where it spends much of its time buried under roots and logs.
Its natural range extends from northern Angola, throughout the Congo Basin, as far east as the shores of Lake Victoria, and throughout the West African forests as far as Senegal.
Specifically, 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.
{{Multiple image
| image1 = Kinixys erosa 11873883.jpg
| align = center
| image2 = A forest hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys erosa).jpg
| caption2 = At The Reptile Zoo
| caption1 = In Uganda
| total_width = 500
}}
Behavior
K. erosa can arch its back 90 degrees downwards to protect its tail and hind legs while sleeping and to protect itself from predators. It is an excellent swimmer and can dive and navigate rainforest water-bodies to search for food.{{citation needed|date=July 2016}}
Reproduction
The female K. erosa lays up to 4 eggs on the ground, covered in leaves.File:Kinixys erosa 88760.jpg, Equatorial Guinea]]
Diet
The forest hinge-back tortoise is omnivorous, feeding on edible leaves, grass, invertebrates, carrion, weeds, and fruits.
Threats
K. erosa is hunted locally for bush meat, and its range has retreated due to clearance of its rainforest habitat. The forest hinge-back tortoise is considered to be threatened in the long-term, primarily due to habitat destruction.Marcot, Bruce G. "{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060619073613/http://chelonia.org/Articles/congo.htm Two Turtles from Western Democratic Republic of the Congo: Pelusios chapini and Kinixys erosa "]}}. (Includes photos).
References
{{Reflist}}
Sources
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20090216145258/http://reptilien-zierfische.de/terraristik/kinixys_erosa.htm reptilien-zierfische.de: Stachelrand-Gelenkschildkröte] (in German).
- [http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/erosa.html tortoisetrust.org: Kinixys erosa (Schweigger 1812). A captive breeding experience].
- [http://www.geocities.ws/hiramtom/erosa.html Forest Hingeback Tortoise (Serrated Hingeback, Schweigger's Hingeback, Eroded Hingeback)] Bilder und CITES-Hinweise (English)
- {{EOL}}
{{Testudinidae}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q302898}}