# Bell's hinge-back tortoise (*Kinixys belliana*) Bell's hinge-back tortoise is a special turtle that can hide inside its shell! It has a unique hinge on its back that lets it close up tight when it feels scared. These tortoises are gentle and love to munch on plants. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Bell's hinge-back tortoise](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Kinixys_belliana_253606814.jpg&width=800) Photo: Tommy Andriollo, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kinixys_belliana_253606814.jpg) ## Appearance The Bell's hinge-back tortoise has an elongated, somewhat flattened shell that is usually yellow-brown to dark brown, often with radiating black patterns. Its most distinguishing feature is a unique hinge on the rear of its upper shell (carapace), allowing it to move that section. The skin is yellowish-brown, sometimes speckled. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Testudines - **Order:** Testudines - **Family:** Testudinidae - **Genus:** Kinixys ## Interesting facts - Bell's hinge-back tortoises can drink water by sucking it up through their nostrils! - Its shell looks like a puzzle with unique patterns that vary greatly between individuals! - They are one of the most widespread tortoises in Africa, living in many different habitats. - This tortoise helps plant new trees by spreading seeds from the fruits it eats. ## Special abilities - **Shell Shield Closure:** Bell's hinge-back tortoise can pull down the rear of its shell using a special hinge, protecting its back legs and tail. - **Savanna Camouflage:** Bell's hinge-back tortoise has a varied shell pattern that helps them blend perfectly into dry grasses and leafy environments. - **Underground Napping:** Bell's hinge-back tortoise can burrow into the ground to estivate, helping them survive long periods of drought. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 15-22.5 cm - **Weight:** 1-2 kg - **Lifespan:** 20-70 years - **Speed:** 0.5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-5 - **Incubation:** 90-180 days ## Diet & Feeding They munch on plants, tasty fruits, and even tiny insects to stay healthy! - **Primary Foods:** Grasses, Leaves, Flowers, Fruits, Mushrooms, Snails - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Tawny Eagle (*Aquila rapax*) — Juveniles are prey for large birds of prey. - **Eaten by:** [Nile Monitor](https://www.snappit.app/explore/nile-monitor) (*Varanus niloticus*) — Eggs and young tortoises can be hunted. - **Eats:** Sycamore Fig (*Ficus sycomorus*) — Feeds on fallen fruits and leaves. - **Eats:** Termite Mushroom (*Termitomyces schimperi*) — Known to eat various fungi species. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Armored](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/armored): Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch from a distance and never touch wild tortoises. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Bell's hinge-back tortoise? Compare shell shape, shell markings, head stripes and the shape of the feet. Wear, age and algae can hide shell patterns. Turtle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Bell's hinge-back tortoise? 15-22.5 cm ### How much does Bell's hinge-back tortoise weigh? 1-2 kg ### How long does Bell's hinge-back tortoise live? 20-70 years ### How fast can Bell's hinge-back tortoise move? 0.5 km/h ### What does Bell's hinge-back tortoise eat? They munch on plants, tasty fruits, and even tiny insects to stay healthy! ### Where is Bell's hinge-back tortoise usually found? Forests ### How does Bell's hinge-back tortoise hunt? Foraging ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Bell's hinge-back tortoise: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bells-hinge-back-tortoise)