Kinixys homeana hingebacks

[Anyfoot]

Hi All

We have group of homeana hingebacks 2.3.14
Thought Id show you some photos, These are not a common species as many wild caught don't take to captivity. We've manage to hatch out this year 14 hatchlings. We've got another 10 eggs in the incubator. These guys are so lively and full of character. Not shy what so ever. They feed mainly off worms, slugs, snails, woodlice, mushrooms and fruit. Rarely do these guys eat greens or weeds, its not until later in life they really eat greens and even then its not a big part of their diet. I've caught them eating dried leaves before too. The diet in the wild is said to be as much as 80% protein. They come from the rainforest and swamp areas of Africa, so require very high humidity and plenty of water.
These guys when hatch out have no eggtooth, they seem to pop the head out and then bust the egg open when expanding from being curled up in the egg. I just love watching these guys, full of life and very feisty especially when live food is on the menu.
They grow to about 8", males being slightly smaller.

In the 2nd photo there is a comparison between a 8wk old and a 1wk old

So first up I'll load some hatchling photos.

[Anyfoot]

[Anyfoot]

[Anyfoot]

[Anyfoot]

4 video links below of our homeana.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MbRmkJoL98

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSEXksKjAfw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTTxhClSISw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex0s6QPbeE4

[emma_mcraf]

More fantastic photos! The comparison between the babies is a great photo. They certainly grow quickly.
Again, it's not a species I know much about so found it really informative and interesting. Congratulations on your successful hatchlings and good luck with the ones still in the incubator. I love how they bust out of their eggs. Amazing torts! Thanks for sharing.

[burnt toast]

Wow amazing! Lovely healthy interesting hatchlings. As you say not seen very often so thanks for sharing.

[Anyfoot]

Thank you Emma. Love these guys, not popular, they were imported into the UK in numbers some years back, most probably perished. Deforestation is killing their natural habitats, and collecting for food and the pet trade also, although you won't get wc in the uk now.
I was lucky to get a 2.2.0 that were wc from 10yrs ago, then I got 2 more females off flintus(SW member). Unfortunately one of my females died a few months back.
However 3 of these are hers. These hatchlings are from all 4 females.

[emma_mcraf]

Originally Posted by Anyfoot

Thank you Emma. Love these guys, not popular, they were imported into the UK in numbers some years back, most probably perished. Deforestation is killing their natural habitats, and collecting for food and the pet trade also, although you won't get wc in the uk now.
I was lucky to get a 2.2.0 that were wc from 10yrs ago, then I got 2 more females off flintus(SW member). Unfortunately one of my females died a few months back.
However 3 of these are hers. These hatchlings are from all 4 females.

I loved seeing Ben's photos too. It's always so interesting to learn more about the less popular torts. So sad that they're losing their natural habitat. You clearly do an excellent job creating a suitable habitat for them and they're clearly thriving to be breeding successfully. So sorry to hear you lost one (Ben said he's suffered losses too - so hard for you both) but thank goodness you have her hatchlings and I'm sure you'll have plenty more to come.

[Anyfoot]

Yeah that was a tragic day for Ben. I literally had a lump in my throat when he told me about his disaster. His was the erosa. Very similar to the homeana.