The Natal hinge-back tortoise (''Kinixys natalensis''), also known as Natal hinge-backed tortoise or Natal hinged tortoise, is a species of

tortoise Tortoises () are reptiles of the family Testudinidae of the order Testudines (Latin: ''tortoise''). Like other turtles, tortoises have a turtle shell, shell to protect from predation and other threats. The shell in tortoises is generally hard, ...

in the family Testudinidae which is restricted to eastern southern Africa to a relatively small area around the borders of

Mozambique Mozambique (), officially the Republic of Mozambique ( pt, Moçambique or , ; ny, Mozambiki; sw, Msumbiji; ts, Muzambhiki), is a country located in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi ...

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

, and

Eswatini Eswatini ( ; ss, eSwatini ), officially the Kingdom of Eswatini and formerly named Swaziland ( ; officially renamed in 2018), is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It is bordered by Mozambique to its northeast and South Africa to its no ...

Description

The Natal hinge-back tortoise is one of the smallest of the hinged tortoises. It has an elongated carapace up to in length which is slightly domed with a flat dorsal surface, although averaging between in length. Its hinge, on the underside of its shell, is also poorly developed compared to its relatives, being restricted to the marginals. This rudimentary hinge only develops later, and is absent in juveniles. The small tail terminates in a distinctive spike. It has a brown to yellow head is small to large with a non-projecting snout. The scutes on its relatively elongated shell usually have concentric dark and light rings. Females are larger than males and usually more boldly marked. Unlike the other hinged tortoises, the males do not have a concave belly.

Distribution and habitat

This rare tortoise is naturally found in the area around the far eastern border of

. It occurs mainly in the province of

Kwazulu-Natal KwaZulu-Natal (, also referred to as KZN and known as "the garden province") is a province of South Africa that was created in 1994 when the Zulu bantustan of KwaZulu ("Place of the Zulu" in Zulu) and Natal Province were merged. It is locate ...

but also in the eastern parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, as well as in the neighbouring countries of

and border of

. In its natural habitat, it inhabits rocky, thornveld and bushveld at elevation. They eat mainly plant material but will eat insects and other small invertebrates if given the chance.

Threats and conservation

This tortoise is rare and considered " vulnerable". It is listed on

CITES Appendix II CITES (shorter name for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as the Washington Convention) is a multilateral treaty to protect endangered plants and animals from the threats of interna ...

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q305966 Kinixys Turtles of Africa Reptiles of Eswatini Reptiles of Mozambique Reptiles of South Africa Reptiles described in 1935 Taxa named by John Hewitt (herpetologist) Taxonomy articles created by Polbot