Western Hinge-back Tortoise (Kinixys nogueyi)

Western Hinge-back Tortoise

Scientific Name: Kinixys nogueyi
Common Name: Western Hinge-back Tortoise

Species Overview

Size: Males typically reach 6 to 7 inches (15 to 18 cm), while females grow slightly larger at 7 to 8 inches (18 to 20 cm).

Appearance: The Western Hinge-back Tortoise is defined by the flexible hinge on the rear portion of its carapace, allowing it to partially close the shell for protection. The carapace is elongated and lightly domed, ranging from tan and golden brown to deep chocolate with irregular dark mottling. Scutes often have distinct growth rings, giving the shell a textured look. The head is usually brown or grey with subtle speckling, and the limbs are sturdy with noticeable scaling. Females are broader-bodied, while males have longer tails and may show brighter facial tones. The hinged rear carapace edge is the species’ most distinguishing trait.

Distribution: Native to West Africa, including Senegal, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, and surrounding regions.

Habitat: In the wild, Western Hinge-back Tortoises inhabit tropical savannas, woodlands, forest edges, and humid grasslands. They experience alternating wet and dry seasons and rely heavily on shaded retreats, leaf litter, and burrows for thermoregulation. In captivity, they require a warm, humid environment with deep substrate, heavy cover, and access to shallow water.

Behaviour: This species is diurnal to crepuscular, shy but alert, and prefers dense cover. They are adept burrowers and rely on humidity for proper hydration and shell condition. When secure, they forage actively for plant matter, fungi, and small invertebrates. They may become stressed in dry or overly open enclosures.

Captive Care

Enclosure: Provide a minimum footprint of 4 × 2 feet (120 × 60 cm) for an adult, though larger is recommended due to their roaming and burrowing tendencies. Use a deep soil-based substrate mixed with leaf litter and moss. Add logs, bark shelters, dense plants, and shaded retreats. They require a shallow water tray for soaking and drinking. Outdoor housing is suitable only in warm, humid climates.

Temperature and Humidity:
Ambient daytime: 78 to 85°F (26 to 29°C)
Basking area: 90 to 95°F (32 to 35°C)
Night temperature: 70 to 75°F (21 to 24°C)
Humidity: 60 to 80%, with humid hides and regular misting. Slightly drier surface areas with moist substrate depth help maintain natural conditions.

Lighting: Provide full-spectrum lighting with 10–12% UVB to support healthy bone and shell development. Maintain both a clear basking area and shaded zones throughout the enclosure.

Diet: Offer a varied omnivorous diet including leafy greens, vegetables, edible weeds, fungi, flowers, insects, worms, and occasional fruit. Adults should receive mostly plant matter with modest amounts of protein, reflecting the species’ mixed natural diet.

Behaviour in Captivity: Western Hinge-back Tortoises thrive in humid, well-covered, naturalistic setups. They rely heavily on hiding spaces and stable humidity. With proper care, they become active foragers and display unique hinge-raising behaviour when startled.

Special Considerations

• Highly humidity-dependent—avoid dry conditions.
• Provide deep substrate and multiple shelters for security.
• Sensitive to husbandry mistakes compared to many Testudo species.
• Outdoor housing only in reliably warm, humid climates.
• Require consistent access to clean water for soaking.

Taxonomy Note

Kinixys nogueyi belongs to the African hinge-back tortoise group, all of which possess a flexible posterior carapace hinge. This group is more closely related to forest and savanna tortoises than to Mediterranean tortoises, reflecting their unique ecological adaptations.

Genetics Note

There are no recognised morphs for the Western Hinge-back Tortoise. Differences in shell colouration, speckling, and hinge prominence represent normal individual and locality-based variation rather than selective breeding.