Home's hinge-back tortoise
Species of tortoise
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Home's hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys homeana) is a species of tortoise in the family Testudinidae. The species is endemic to Africa.
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| Home's hinge-back tortoise | |
|---|---|
| |
| In Kakum National Park, Ghana | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Testudines |
| Suborder: | Cryptodira |
| Family: | Testudinidae |
| Genus: | Kinixys |
| Species: | K. homeana |
| Binomial name | |
| Kinixys homeana Bell, 1827 | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
Etymology
The specific name, homeana, is in honor of English surgeon and naturalist Everard Home.[3]
Geographic range
K. homeana is found in Benin, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, and possibly Togo.[1][4]
Habitat
The natural habitats of Home's hinge-back tortoise are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical swamps, and plantations.[1]
Ecology and life history
Home's hinge-back tortoise is naturally attracted to red or pink flowers. It prefers low light and often moves in early morning or dusk, preferring to stay hidden the rest of the day.[citation needed]
Diet
In captivity the diet of K. homeana may include, banana, guava, watermelon, black mushrooms, cooked sweet potato, cooked potato, and cooked or raw squash, and sources of animal protein such as earthworms, mealworms, crickets, snails and fish.[5]
Conservation status
K. homeana is threatened by habitat loss.[1]
