Home's hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys homeana)

Short answers

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

From 145×70 cm floor space for one animal; for a pair from 145×70 cm (1997 expert report, at 18 cm shell length).

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

Daytime 25–29 °C, basking spot 30–32 °C (only a mild basking spot; avoids strong heat and light), at night 22–24 °C.

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

UVB: Low-dose UVB (a rainforest floor species, Ferguson zone 1–2).

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

Life expectancy: ~20–40 years (often considerably less in captivity because of husbandry mistakes).

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

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–29 °C

Night temperature

22–24 °C

Basking spot

30–32 °C (only a mild basking spot; avoids strong heat and light)

Humidity

80–100 %

UVB

Low-dose UVB (a rainforest floor species, Ferguson zone 1–2)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 145×70 cm floor space for one animal; for a pair from 145×70 cm (1997 expert report, at 18 cm shell length)

Substrate

Damp forest floor, leaf litter or sphagnum, deep and loose

Feeding

Food

Omnivorous: forest plants, fungi, windfall fruit plus animal food (snails, worms, insects)

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

up to ~20 (22) cm shell length

Life expectancy

~20–40 years (often considerably less in captivity because of husbandry mistakes)

Origin

West Africa, tropical rainforest (Nigeria, Cameroon, Liberia among others)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II, EU Regulation Annex B; mostly wild-caught, proof of origin needed

Brumation

None; warm and humid all year

Cohabitation

Keep them singly; very shy, sensitive to stress and light, and territorial. Only exceptionally one male plus females with plenty of visual barriers; never two males

Notes

One of the most demanding tortoises: light-shy, highly sensitive to dehydration, and constant high humidity is essential. Wild-caught animals have a high loss rate → only for experienced keepers, and captive-bred animals.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Home's hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys homeana) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Bell's hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys belliana) – Intermediate
• 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 Home's hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys homeana) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 145×70 cm floor space for one animal; for a pair from 145×70 cm (1997 expert report, at 18 cm shell length)), substrate (Damp forest floor, leaf litter or sphagnum, deep and loose), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.