Vulnerable Reptiles

Speke's Hinged-back Tortoise

Kinixys spekii

Speke's Hinged-back Tortoise has a hinged shell and lives in African dry forests and savannas.

Scientific name	Kinixys spekii
Conservation status	Vulnerable
Class	Reptilia
Order	Testudines
Family	Testudinidae
Size	Male: shell length approximately 15-20 cm, weight about 1.5-2.5 kg; female: slightly larger, shell length up to 20-25 cm, weight about 2-3 kg

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How to identify

Distinct hinged structure at rear of carapace allowing partial shell closure; carapace brown to olive with clear radiating patterns; large head with wide mouth; sturdy limbs with scales; long tail, males have thicker tails

Habitat

Sparse woodland savanna, shrubland, edges of dry forests, and areas near river valleys

Diet

Omnivorous, mainly feeding on plant fruits, leaves, and flowers, also consuming insects, small invertebrates, and carrion

When it is active

Diurnal, active during the day, more active at dawn and dusk

Where it lives

East Africa, mainly found in Tanzania, southern Kenya, and parts of Uganda

How to spot it

Search at dawn or dusk along shrub edges or grasslands, observe the hinge movement of the carapace, avoid disturbance

Photography tips

Use a macro lens to capture hinge details, utilize natural light to photograph activity, shoot from low angles to emphasize body features

Threats

Habitat destruction and loss, illegal capture for the pet trade, habitat fragmentation due to agricultural expansion

Similar species

Other hinged-back tortoises (genus Kinixys), distinguished by Speke’s hinged-back tortoise having the hinge positioned closer to the center and more distinct patterns

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