Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all, I am just wondering if there is anyone else out there on this board with Kinixys tortoises? I have 5 K. homeana and would like to discuss them with anyone with experience with these animals. Also, if anyone has any K. erosa tortoises I would love to talk to you about them.

EMWhite

i have k. belliana--bells hingeback and have been looking for a female for a long time--if you know of any let me know?
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GOOSEBALLS

lamina1982@hotmail.com

goose82, from what I understand the importation K. belliana has stopped due to the tortoises habit of carrying a tick that has proved deadly to cattle. This is what I have heard, I know that they are no longer being imported because I have spoken with a reptile dealer who told me he is no longer able to import them, though he did not say why. Your best bet is going to be someone who doesn't want theirs anymore. How long have you had your K. belliana? I have had my five K. homeana for little over two months, they have proven to be difficult to establish, however, two are doing very well, one is regaining her health, one is battiling a respiratory infection, and one is refusing food. All are shy and somewhat dificult to work with. Did you by any chance have similiar problems?

EMWhite

i heard something similar , but that their importation was cut way back and that you needed a govt vet certificate to ship across state lines. i live in buffalo, ny and actually found my tortoise. he just cruised into a friends yard (in the middle of nowhere). so he either escaped or was set free. hes a great little tortoise-not shy eats well. had a touch of upper respiratory when i first got him-but was probably due to being loose. i built an outdoor enclosure for him and he stayed out all summer. just brought in him as temps were getting cold for fall. he eats lots of veggies-squash is favorite, eats pinkies every once in a while. loves canned tortoise food/ lizard food ( cant remember brand off hand). never was real big on pellets though. really cool little guy thats why i wanted a friend for him so hed have a buddy to hangout with.
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GOOSEBALLS

lamina1982@hotmail.com

I also have a lone female Bells. I've had her since 1989, but she's been in captivity since 1984. She was in really bad shape in 84, but you'd never know that now. A true lady and a sweetheart.

whered you get yours? know of any others? maybe some available? you can email me at below
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GOOSEBALLS

lamina1982@hotmail.com

Hi! My Kinixys erosa and homeana love earthworms and will also eat ground turkey (though not voraciously). They like papaya, frozen mixed vegetables, tomatoes, yellow squash, almost any type of melon, and have also sampled grapes and various types of berries. Here are links to some sites with additional info:

http://www.carecentre.org.za/hingedback2.html

http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/Kinixysscare.htm

http://www.geocities.com/hiramtom/erosa.html

zovick, how long have you had your K. erosa? That was the species I was most interested in, but could not find to acquire. I have heard many a different opinion on them. Most of the people I talk to reffer to them as "difficult to establish and care for", have you found this to be the case?

EMWhite

I have had these animals since March, or roughly 6 months. They are doing quite well and have been gaining weight, eating well, etc. It does take a while to get them acclimated to captivity.

I have too many hingebacks and may wish to let some go. Email me privately to discuss that option if you are interested.