Stutz jointed turtle
| Stutz jointed turtle | ||||||||||||
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Stutz jointed turtle ( Kinixys homeana ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Kinixys homeana | ||||||||||||
| Bell , 1827 |
The Stutz jointed turtle ( Kinixys homeana ) is also called Homes jointed turtle. It belongs within the family of tortoises (Testudinidae) to the genus of articulated tortoises ( Kinixys ).
features
The Stutz jointed turtle reaches a size of a good 20 cm and is one of the smaller species of tortoise . A noticeable feature is a joint in the rear third of the carapace . Their back armor is flatter than that of related species such as Kinixys belliana or Kinixys erosa . The front armor area protrudes far forward so that the head is also well protected. The fifth, central shield is bumpy. Behind him the carapace falls steeply downwards. The rear edge of the carapace bends slightly upwards and is strongly serrated. The back armor is brown-yellow, the shields partially outlined in light. The belly armor is brown, the triangular head yellowish. The strong scaling of the legs is striking.
distribution
The tropical regions of West Africa are the natural range of the Stutz articulated turtle. They prefer to live in clear areas in the tropical rainforest , along rivers and in moist grasslands.
food
Their food consists on the one hand of plant-based food, on the other hand of animal food such as insects , molluscs and other animals in suitable sizes. As young animals, they mainly eat animal food.
Reproduction
During the mating season it can be observed that the head of the males is colored a bright yellow. The female lays between 3 and 7 eggs in a hollow in the ground, which is carefully closed after the eggs have been laid. The eggs are about 4 cm in size. The incubation period is about 16 weeks. In contrast to the adult animals, the shell of the young animals has a jagged edge.
Danger
In large parts of the natural distribution areas , the Stutz jointed turtle serves the population as food and is therefore subject to high hunting pressure . The destruction of natural habitats also contributes to the decline in populations . The necked jointed turtle is listed as an endangered species in the Washington Convention on Endangered Species , Appendix II.
Individual evidence
- ^ Gerhard Müller: Turtles , Eugen Ulmer Verlag, Stuttgart. ISBN 3-8001-7258-5
Web links
- Kinixys homeana in The Reptile Database
- Kinixys homeana inthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013..1. Posted by: Luiselli, L., Politano, E. & Lea, J., 2006. Retrieved September 20, 2013.