Bell's hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys belliana)

Short answers

Bell's hinge-back tortoise: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 160×80 cm floor space for one animal; for a pair from 160×80 cm (1997 expert report, at 20 cm shell length).

Bell's hinge-back tortoise: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot 35–40 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Bell's hinge-back tortoise: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 2–3).

Bell's hinge-back tortoise: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: ~20–30 years in captivity (potentially considerably older).

Bell's hinge-back tortoise: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–30 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

35–40 °C

Humidity

60–80 % (a humid hide, mist morning and evening)

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 2–3)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 160×80 cm floor space for one animal; for a pair from 160×80 cm (1997 expert report, at 20 cm shell length)

Substrate

A deep, diggable mix of coco humus, forest soil and leaf litter with a permanently damp zone

Feeding

Food

Omnivorous: mostly herbs, leaves, fungi and windfall fruit plus an animal share (snails, earthworms, insects)

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles every 1–2 days

Key facts

Adult size

18–22 cm shell length

Life expectancy

~20–30 years in captivity (potentially considerably older)

Origin

Central, eastern and southern Africa (savannah and bushland)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II, EU Regulation Annex B (the whole genus Kinixys); proof of origin or an EU certificate is needed, and animals are often wild-caught

Brumation

No true brumation; possibly a short dry rest or aestivation in the hot dry season

Cohabitation

Keep them singly; territorial, and the males are aggressive towards each other. Only one male plus several females in a very large, structured enclosure with visual barriers; never two males

Notes

Wild-caught animals are often heavily wormed and import-stressed → only settled captive-bred animals are advisable. A damp retreat corner is needed, but permanent wetness → a risk of shell and skin fungus. The humidity requirement varies by subspecies (b. nogueyi is more humid).

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Bell's hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys belliana) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Home's hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys homeana) – Expert
• Natal hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys natalensis) – Intermediate
• Speke's hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys spekii) – Intermediate
• West African hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys nogueyi) – Intermediate
• Serrated hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys erosa) – Expert
• Ploughshare tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora) – Expert
• Speckled padloper (Homopus areolatus) – Expert
• Serrated tent tortoise (Psammobates oculifer) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Bell's hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys belliana) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 160×80 cm floor space for one animal; for a pair from 160×80 cm (1997 expert report, at 20 cm shell length)), substrate (A deep, diggable mix of coco humus, forest soil and leaf litter with a permanently damp zone), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.