Bell's Hingeback Caresheet
Captive Care of Bell’s Hingeback
Tortoise, Kinixys bellina
Charles
J. Innis, VMD
Photos
and edited by Susan Horton, DVM
INTRODUCTION
Bell
’s hingeback tortoise, Kinixys
bellina, is one of the most common tortoise species seen in
the pet trade. Unfortunately, the vast majority of specimens
offered for sale are imported, wild-caught animals that have
proven difficult to establish in captivity. It is a moderately
large African tortoise, with adults measuring up to 22 cm and
weighing up to 2 kg. Adult
males specimens have a much longer tail than females.
The preferred habitat of
Bell
’s hingeback is savanna and grassland. As these areas may
exhibit strong seasonal changes in precipitation and temperatures,
the activity of the tortoises may be restricted to particular
times of the year. In
South Africa
, for example,
Bell
’s hingeback may become inactive during the cool winter months
of May through September. Such seasonal patterns are likely
important for successful captive breeding of the species.
Selecting
a Specimen
A healthy hingeback should feel heavy and solid,
roughly the same as an equivalent volume of water. A tortoise that
feels light or hollow is likely dehydrated and malnourished.
Hingebacks may be very shy so patience and gentle handling is
necessary to allow inspection of the head and limbs. The eyes
should be open and clear, or should open within several seconds of
initial handling. Eyes that are swollen or sealed shut may
indicate dehydration or conjunctivitis. The nostrils should also
be clear. Any nasal discharge should raise suspicion of a possible
respiratory infection. The skin should be thoroughly inspected for
ticks, mites, swellings or lacerations. The shell may have a
variety of injuries, some of which may be old and healed, and
others that may be active areas of infection. If possible the
mouth of the tortoise should be opened and the tongue and palate
should be evaluated for signs of infection. If the tortoise passes
feces during examination, evaluate the stool for blood, mucous,
worms, or diarrhea. Finally, if circumstances permit, offer the
tortoise some preferred food items (see below) to assess its
appetite.
Acclimation
After acquisition, hingbacks may take weeks or months to
become established. It is best to house newly acquired hingebacks
individually. Initial housing should be a simple, quarantine
enclosure so that feces, urine, and food intake can be closely
monitored and to allow easy cleaning and disinfection. Glass
aquarium tanks or plastic containers work well, and should be at
least four times as long and twice as wide as the length of the
tortoise. A simple substrate of newspaper or paper towels allows
easy monitoring and easy cleaning. A hide box must be provided as
most hingebacks are initially quite reclusive and appear to fare
poorly if constantly exposed. Temperatures should range from 29-32
degrees C ( 85-90 degrees F) during the day to 23-26 degrees C
(75-80 F) at night. Heat is best provided by overhead incandescent
lights, but may be supplemented with ceramic heating elements or
under tank heating pads. In this author’s opinion, heat rocks
are of no use in tortoise husbandry. Some
Bell
’s hingebacks will bask under heat lights, while others appear
to dislike bright light. The role of ultraviolet lighting in
tortoise husbandry is controversial, but fluorescent lights that
provide UVB light may be of benefit.
Bell
’s hingebacks seem most active and have fewer eye and
respiratory problems if kept at 60-90% humidity. Humidity may be
maintained by misting several times daily, or covering the
majority of the enclosure with plastic sheeting, leaving openings
for the heat lights and ventilation.
The natural diet of
Bell
’s hingeback includes both plant and animal matter such as
fallen fruits, grasses, snails, insects, and other invertebrates.
New captives kept by the author have often accepted strawberries,
cantaloupe, and earthworms as their first food items. It may take
several weeks for a new arrival to begin eating regularly. If poor
appetite persists, medical attention may be needed. When first
offering food, it is best to observe from a distance, as many
hingebacks will retreat if the human observer is noticed.
Alternatively, the tortoise may be fed in its hidebox. Fresh water
should be provided at all times in a shallow bowl that is large
enough for the tortoise to fit its entire length. Hingebacks often
drink large amounts of water.
Once the tortoise is accepting one or two food items
regularly, it should be gradually converted to a more balanced
diet. By thoroughly mixing new foods with previously accepted
items, even stubborn specimens can be converted. A complete diet
for
Bell
’s hingebacks should include high calcium, green leafy
vegetables such as dandelion, clover, escarole, chicory, kale,
etc; a fiber source such as fresh grass clippings (avoiding
pesticides), alfalfa, or timothy hay; a variety of fruits and
vegetables; and animal protein sources such as earthworms, pinkie
mice, or a high fiber dog food. Commercial tortoise diets may also
be offered in moderation. A varied diet is essential to avoid
nutritional deficiencies. A powdered calcium supplement may be
added to the food several times weekly and a multivitamin
supplement may be added to the food once weekly.
Permanent
Housing
Once established on a good diet, and free of parasites,
Bell
’s hingebacks may be set up in a more natural environment. If
kept in groups, sufficient area and multiple hid boxes must be
provided for individual tortoises to retreat from each other. Bark
mulch may provide a visually appealing substrate, and the
tortoises seem to enjoy burrowing. It must be changed weekly.
Take care that feeding stations are designed to prevent
accidental ingestion of mulch.
Alternatively, and preferentially, outdoor enclosures may
be used if climate permits. They must be designed appropriately as
Bell
’s hingebacks can be excellent climbers and burrowers. When kept
outdoors, this author has observed that
Bell
’s hingebacks are most active at dawn and dusk, retreating to
shady areas during most of the day. The only mid-day activity
observed has been during and after rain showers.
Preventive
Healthcare and Diseases
Bell
’s hingebacks are often heavily parasitized. As such, thorough
evaluation of feces by a veterinarian is essential. A
deparasitizing program should be established, and hingebacks often
need prolonged and repeated treatments to completely eradicate
parasites. For very ill animals, more extensive testing and
treatment may be recommended. Animals that have stopped eating,
have nasal discharge, weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting, or swollen
eyes or limbs should be brought to the veterinarian.
