Angulate tortoise (Chersina angulata)
Turtles & tortoises · Difficulty: Intermediate
Key facts and care guidance for Angulate tortoise (Chersina angulata) (origin: South Africa, Namibia – fynbos and coastal scrub). Adult size around 15–25 cm. Life expectancy 40–60 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Angulate tortoise: How big does the enclosure need to be?
150×80 cm floor area.
Angulate tortoise: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 22–28 °C, basking spot 38 °C, at night 14–18 °C.
Angulate tortoise: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %).
Angulate tortoise: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 40–60 years.
Angulate tortoise: Is it suitable for beginners?
Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 22–28 °C
- Night temperature
- 14–18 °C
- Basking spot
- 38 °C
- Humidity
- 40–55 %
- UVB
- Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %)
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 150×80 cm floor area
- Substrate
- Sand-loam they can dig in, stone slabs, dry herbs
Feeding
- Food
- Grasses, herbs, succulents, hay – purely plant-based
- Feeding interval
- plant food daily
Key facts
- Adult size
- 15–25 cm
- Life expectancy
- 40–60 years
- Origin
- South Africa, Namibia – fynbos and coastal scrub
- Protection status
- CITES II
- Brumation
- A cooler dry spell of 8–10 weeks
- Cohabitation
- Single housing or a pair (1.2); males are extremely intolerant of each other. The reason is territory: males ram and bite each other, and females get so harassed by constant courtship that they visibly lose weight. Worn shell edges and bites to the hind legs are what you end up showing the vet.
Notes
The males carry each other around by the elongated gular scute – never keep two males together. Active in winter in its home range, so a cool, dry rather than hot, dry resting phase.
Do you keep this species?
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Related species
- Ploughshare tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora) – Expert
- Speckled padloper (Homopus areolatus) – Expert
- Serrated tent tortoise (Psammobates oculifer) – Expert
- Bell's hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys belliana) – Intermediate
- Speckled padloper tortoise (Chersobius signatus) – Expert
- Home's hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys homeana) – Expert
- Natal hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys natalensis) – Intermediate
- Leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis) – Intermediate
What you need to start
To keep Angulate tortoise (Chersina angulata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×80 cm floor area), substrate (Sand-loam they can dig in, stone slabs, dry herbs), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 9 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angulate_tortoise, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Chersina&species=angulata, https://tortoise.org/archives/cher-angu.html
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).