Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Light, C., & Gibbons, P. M. , Natural history, husbandry, and breeding of the forest hinged tortoise (kinixys erosa) - abstract. Unpublished paper presented at Program and Abstracts of the Tenth Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich (06 Jul 2014 16:11:48 UTC) |
| Resource type: Conference Paper BibTeX citation key: Light2013 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Haltung - husbandry, Schildkröten - turtles + tortoises, Zeitigung - incubation Creators: Gibbons, Light Collection: Program and Abstracts of the Tenth Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles |
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| Abstract |
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Testudinidae The Forest Hinged Tortoise (Kinixys erosa) is listed under CITES Appendix II and is “Data Deficient” on the IUCN Red List. It is the largest of the five species in the genus Kinixys and inhabits wet evergreen tropical forests, especially marshy areas, with annual rainfall of over 1.8 m (70 in) and a short, 3-month dry season in west central Africa. The hinge that crosses transversely at the caudal 1/3 of the carapace is the most prominent and unique feature of this genus; it allows for increased protection of the tail and hind legs. This species is heavily consumed as a food source by local people in its native range and pressure from poaching for international traffic is probably a major population pressure. Behler Chelonian Center (BCC) has kept K. erosa since 2007 and has had breeding success. To replicate conditions in their native range, tortoises at BCC are housed in densely planted enclosures with composted wood mulch substrate, New Zealand sphagnum moss and leaf litter inside a climate-controlled greenhouse with dappled sunlight, high humidity, daytime high temperatures around 30–32° C and night lows of 22–24° C year-round. The captive diet includes leafy greens, mushrooms, squash, snails, and earthworms. We have observed nesting in the moist substrate, often near the base of a large plant. Clutches have included 4–8 rounded eggs with well-mineralized shells. We have successfully incubated eggs in an incubator with a daytime high temperature of 30° C (86° F) and a night low of 25.5° C (78° F). Small ventilated containers are used with approximately 2.5 cm (1 in) of hand squeezed moist New Zealand sphagnum on the bottom, 5 cm (2 in) of 2:1:vermiculite:water (wt:wt) surrounding the eggs, topped with another layer of moist sphagnum to cover the eggs. Eggs are candled monthly and weights are taken of the container to ensure moisture stays consistent throughout incubation; water is added to the sides of the container if the weight drops more than 10%. The incubation period ranges from 89–120 days.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich |