Speckled padloper (Homopus areolatus)

Short answers

Speckled padloper: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 100×50 cm floor area for one animal; around 1 m² (for example 100×100 cm) for up to three adult animals, with males kept separately.

Speckled padloper: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–28 °C, basking spot 40–45 °C at the basking spot, at night 12–16 °C.

Speckled padloper: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (open, sunny fynbos; Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–4).

Speckled padloper: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–30+ years.

Speckled padloper: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–28 °C

Night temperature

12–16 °C

Basking spot

40–45 °C at the basking spot

Humidity

40–60 % (dry, well ventilated) plus a humid hide

UVB

UVB needed (open, sunny fynbos; Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–4)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 100×50 cm floor area for one animal; around 1 m² (for example 100×100 cm) for up to three adult animals, with males kept separately

Substrate

Sandy loam, rather dry, with stones and crevices as hides

Feeding

Food

Greens such as dandelion, plantain, endive and chicory, plus a fibre-rich component (soaked hay pellets or dried herbs); dusted with calcium and vitamins at every feeding. Occasionally slow-moving insects as a protein source. No fruit. Always offer food in a dish or on a flat stone slab, never on the substrate

Feeding interval

3–4×/week in small portions

Key facts

Adult size

~10–11 cm (females larger, up to ~14 cm)

Life expectancy

20–30+ years

Origin

The southern and south-western Cape, South Africa (fynbos, strandveld, coastal lowlands)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II, EU Regulation Annex B; collecting and trade are strictly prohibited in South Africa and Namibia → hardly available legally

Brumation

No true winter dormancy; a mild coastal climate, active all year; a slight winter cooling is possible

Cohabitation

Group of one male with several females: they can be kept together year-round; about 1 m² of floor space is enough for up to three adults. Two males do not work — they are aggressive towards each other all year, not just in the breeding season, and must be housed separately. Plenty of hides and several basking spots are essential.

Notes

Difficult: a specialised diet and sensitivity to permanently high humidity (the cause of many keeping problems). An escape artist. For specialists only; usually with the problems of wild-caught animals. The temperature figures are derived from its climate and habitat (fine values are thin in the care sheets).

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Speckled padloper (Homopus areolatus) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Ploughshare tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora) – Expert
• Serrated tent tortoise (Psammobates oculifer) – Expert
• Bell's hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys belliana) – Intermediate
• Speckled padloper tortoise (Chersobius signatus) – Expert
• Angulate tortoise (Chersina angulata) – Intermediate
• Home's hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys homeana) – Expert
• Natal hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys natalensis) – Intermediate
• Leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Speckled padloper (Homopus areolatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 100×50 cm floor area for one animal; around 1 m² (for example 100×100 cm) for up to three adult animals, with males kept separately), substrate (Sandy loam, rather dry, with stones and crevices as hides), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.