Turtletary - Hingeback

Forest-hingeback.. Kinixys erosa.. Care and breeding..
common sense care.. easy to follow!
Lots of pics!

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First and foremost -
I praise my Savior Jesus Christ..
this is HIS business..
HIS website.. His animals..
HIS Wisdom.. in caring for them.
At best I'm the shepherd and strive to follow HIS lead.

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{ This is a "work" in progress - Refresh first }

Back in the mid '90's I met Robert Sands..
owner of Robert's Serpents.
Robert imported reptiles from Africa..
including some of the first BIG 'spurs' to come into the U.S.!
In fact I acquired my very first redfoot hatchlings from him!

He also imported "Hingeback" tortoises..which I really liked
- unique 'all over'.. especially the colors of the male's heads -

I never kept the K. erosa back then.. wish I had.
I recently acquired these.. again! [ let's make babies!!! ]

Look close and you may see how the carapace
has a 'hinge' ( just in front of rear leg )..
which expands so they can extend their rear feet!

This is a young mature male @ 8.5+" -
they grow to 12" - SCL ( straight carapace length ).

The Kinixys erosa { Forest-hingedback } tortoise -

Look at this carapace.. and the "Gular" scutes under his chin..

K. erosa are not known to be very "sociable"..
especially as brand new imports.
Setting them up as 'natural' as possible does help
make them more 'comfortable' I'm sure.
These did eat the day after I received them -
MAY 19 '09.. and are all very heavy!
You know I'm pleased with them.

These came from 'Nick Mole'
First Choice Reptiles

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A couple of the 'shy' females.. at 8" SCL -

I believe they will 'acclimate' quickly.
Their new outdoor enclosure is waiting for warmer temps!

**UPDATE**

The week after July 4th:

7/07/09
I put them into their outdoor enclosure for the first time!
Keep in mind they were in Africa.. 2 months ago!
I came around the "corner" and he was just all over her..
mouth agape.. in love. I ran to get the camera
and when I got back he saw me and he froze.
In the excitement I didn't get a "still" pic.

FIRST BREEDING

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The next night they [ different male ] fell in love again..
since it was almost dark - fuzzy pic -

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Thunderstorms started Sunday morning.. July 12, '09.
By mid-morning they were out and it was raining steady!
I'm stooped down [ like a 'catcher' ]..
holding the umbrella with one hand and
the camera with the other.. trying to get "steady" pics!
You get the idea ----- hear the rain?

{ be sure speakers are on }

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There has been breeding activity each evening
by 2.2 [ among 3.4 ] since 7/07/09.

Talk about "Blessed"!

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7/16/09
A nice 'overcast' day.. and one of the males is out
enjoying Portabella - nothing is too good for them!

{ watch him 'munch-mushroom'! }

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I didn't realize how much/well they climb!

That's about a 10" vinyl siding used as a 'sight-barrier'!
What's going on out there???

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{ since these had done so well..
I was able to acquire another two nice females }

Because of the "crazy" summer temps we've had in '09..
I've decided to bring them in - temps in the upper 50's in August!?!

The smallest female is 7+" SCL.. { straight carapace length }

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THESE ARE WITH ME FOR LIFE..

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UPDATE

~6 months later.. new camera~

What progress!

{ winter indoor enclosure }

A few will now come out at "dusk" on their own to eat, etc.

Their hide is now full of leaves which are
misted about once a week with 'hot' water!
And the heater is directly under their hide
which creates a warm and humid hide for them.
Their winter 'table' is about 3' off the floor.

No 'direct' light is provided.. only "ambient" light..
which is below the walls of their table.

Their staple diet is mushrooms and sweet potato..
with various fruits such as banana and strawberry
or whatever is available at the local 'produce'
market - from "south of the border?".

I've yet to get them to eat greens!

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From the far end of the 14' x 32" table..
looking past the water-dish and into their hide..
enjoying mushrooms and sweet potato -

The flash on this new camera really works well in the "dark"!

A few "male" pics with that bright YELLOW head -

Sniff!.. smells like mushrooms -

Tastes like mushrooms -

YEP.. that's Portabella!!!

I just can't get over the colors of this female!!!

Do I see sweet potato in with mushrooms?

Love that sweet potato -

Sweet potato "free-for-all" -

What a face huh?

Just can't get over the condition of these!

Get the idea I like these guys?

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A few sex determinations:

Male anal scutes and concave plastron -

Female - also note 'gular' deep V -

Male 'gular' - wide "V"

Female -

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The "light yellow" male -

And this female! -

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Went out to "lock down" 1/14/10 6p..
and much to my surprise -

WHOO - HOO!!!

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UPDATE
2/28/11

Dividers are in place separating the males from the females..
with 4+" of leaf-litter thru-out the 9' female space!
They have been taking advantage.... also!

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A few new 'views' outdoors -

One of my favorite shots..

Late spring.. a few have been added to the group -

Beautiful females..

Male -

mid - August 2011

In the process of remodeling indoor tables..
first stage complete.. more pics soon.

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Dwight Lawson, Ph.D.
Deputy Director - Zoo Atlanta
V.P. - Turtle Survival Alliance

Dwight wrote "papers" as part of his studies while in Cameroon, Africa.
After I sent him pics of mine he mentioned they were his first tortoise "love"
and he sent me these.. in hopes they would be of interest to someone -

[ all I have to do now is figure out how to create links to them! ]

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TSA started a program to aid in the conservation of these incredible
creatures and Dwight contacted me asking if I would like to
participate by receiving 1.2 on breeding loan.. I accepted the offer!

Male -