Speke's hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys spekii)

Short answers

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

From 155×80 cm floor space for one animal; for a pair from 155×80 cm (1997 expert report, at 19,5 cm shell length).

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

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

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

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

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

Life expectancy: ~25–40 years.

Speke'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 % (savannah with a humid microzone or hide)

UVB

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

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 155×80 cm floor space for one animal; for a pair from 155×80 cm (1997 expert report, at 19,5 cm shell length)

Substrate

Deep, diggable soil, coco or leaf litter with a damp hide (they like to bury themselves)

Feeding

Food

Omnivorous: flowers, leaves, grass, herbs, succulents, fungi plus snails and insects (with a fondness for millipedes)

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

males up to ~18 cm, females up to ~21 cm

Life expectancy

~25–40 years

Origin

Central and southern Africa (savannah and miombo woodland)

Protection status

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

Brumation

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

Cohabitation

Keep them singly; territorial, and the males are aggressive. One male plus females only with a great deal of space; never two males

Notes

Fond of digging – deep ground and a damp microclimate matter. Wild-caught animals are often wormy. Requirements similar to K. belliana (the savannah type).

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Speke's hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys spekii) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Bell's hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys belliana) – Intermediate
• Home's hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys homeana) – Expert
• Natal hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys natalensis) – 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 Speke's hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys spekii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 155×80 cm floor space for one animal; for a pair from 155×80 cm (1997 expert report, at 19,5 cm shell length)), substrate (Deep, diggable soil, coco or leaf litter with a damp hide (they like to bury themselves)), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.