Help with Kinixys Belliana (Bell´s hinge-back tortoise)

Korall

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Okay, so i have an bells hingeback tortoise and so far it seems healthy. It has gotten some minor scars but we checked it with a reptile vet and its nothing special.

But i cant find that much on kinixys belliana online or in books and i was just wondering if anybody knew a good care sheet or had some information. Again, its healthy right now but better safe than sorry.
 

tortadise

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Okay, so i have an bells hingeback tortoise and so far it seems healthy. It has gotten some minor scars but we checked it with a reptile vet and its nothing special.

But i cant find that much on kinixys belliana online or in books and i was just wondering if anybody knew a good care sheet or had some information. Again, its healthy right now but better safe than sorry.


Hello,
They are quite easy to set up. Mulch(cypress) mixed with pat moss, or soil always works well for a substrate. They like to hide under foliage and in hides. Temperatures during the day mid 80s to low 90s spray enclosure once a day or so to elevate humidity, mid 70s at night is ok for a drop. They will eat just about anything.
 

Jacqui

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Hi! I keep mine just a little cooler than Kelly does. How did you happen to get a Bell?
 

Korall

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Hi! I keep mine just a little cooler than Kelly does. How did you happen to get a Bell?
Well im not really sure, the reptile shop happend to have one. And an unusual thing about my bells hingeback is that it has never been shy, not even in the reptile shop so i instantly fell in love with it :)
 

Jacqui

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Most of my Balls have also been that way. Is it a male or female?
 

Korall

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Most of my Balls have also been that way. Is it a male or female?
Uhh, i dont know really. xP
But i only have one alone so i guess it dosent really matter.

Any indications of its gender?
 

Korall

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Hello,
They are quite easy to set up. Mulch(cypress) mixed with pat moss, or soil always works well for a substrate. They like to hide under foliage and in hides. Temperatures during the day mid 80s to low 90s spray enclosure once a day or so to elevate humidity, mid 70s at night is ok for a drop. They will eat just about anything.
If i use soil, will any non-fertilized, non-treated soil do? Im thinking i could plant some cat grass on it to increase humidity.
 

tortadise

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If i use soil, will any non-fertilized, non-treated soil do? Im thinking i could plant some cat grass on it to increase humidity.
Yep plain soil will work just fine. Mulch helps with humidity too. The deeper the substrate the better and more likely to establish a well balanced mini ecosystem.
 

Korall

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Yep plain soil will work just fine. Mulch helps with humidity too. The deeper the substrate the better and more likely to establish a well balanced mini ecosystem.
Also if you want to take a look at my tortoise, here are some pictures (Though my camera and the lighting is bad so the pictures may be unclear)



So, apart from the scars, does he look healthy too you? (From what you can see from these unclear pictures)
I think his skin could be a bit dry but i´m working on it.

Also, because you cant see this in the pictures i´m just going to note this, my tortoises eyes are clear black and its nostrils are clear too.

IMG_0546.JPGIMG_0544.JPG IMG_0543.JPG





IMG_0545.JPG
 

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Korall

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I don't see any scars. Looks great. I'd for sure add some moisture to help with the skin.
Yeah, i am working on raising the humidity in the terrarium, mainly changing the substrate and getting some plants, any plants you would recommend?

And also, is it okay if i slightly spray/soak my bells hingeback tortoise with some warm water every now and then?
 

Yvonne G

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Anything in the viola/violet/pansy family, hosta, quite a few members grow rose of sharon seeds and plant the seedlings in their habitats. Tortoises love the leaves of squash and grape vines.
 

Korall

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Anything in the viola/violet/pansy family, hosta, quite a few members grow rose of sharon seeds and plant the seedlings in their habitats. Tortoises love the leaves of squash and grape vines.
Thanks, il see if i can get some of those.
 

Korall

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Hello,
They are quite easy to set up. Mulch(cypress) mixed with pat moss, or soil always works well for a substrate. They like to hide under foliage and in hides. Temperatures during the day mid 80s to low 90s spray enclosure once a day or so to elevate humidity, mid 70s at night is ok for a drop. They will eat just about anything.


Also, on the topic of food, I'm not sure what to feed my little tort, I know I can feed him/her weeds/leaves, vegetables, insects and sometimes some fruit (But not too much) I've also heard that their food should be low on protein, fat, phosphorus and sugar and high on fiber, vitamins and calcium. But.. I'm not sure what to feed my tortoise exactly, any recommendations or info about this?
 

tortadise

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Also, on the topic of food, I'm not sure what to feed my little tort, I know I can feed him/her weeds/leaves, vegetables, insects and sometimes some fruit (But not too much) I've also heard that their food should be low on protein, fat, phosphorus and sugar and high on fiber, vitamins and calcium. But.. I'm not sure what to feed my tortoise exactly, any recommendations or info about this?
This species will readily consume worms. Don't offer too often though they can get hooked on them. I feed about once a week when around this size.

Mushrooms, dandelions, any broad leaf green really. Fruits also sparingly, they can get addicted to them too. They like cactus too.
 

Korall

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This species will readily consume worms. Don't offer too often though they can get hooked on them. I feed about once a week when around this size.
Mushrooms, dandelions, any broad leaf green really. Fruits also sparingly, they can get addicted to them too. They like cactus too.

Okay, its kind of hard for me to get worms during the winter, maybe they are avaliable at some pet shops so i´l have to check.

Will any non-poisonous mushroom do? Like store bought champignon? Because i can´t really pick mushrooms in the wild during the winter.
 

tortadise

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Okay, its kind of hard for me to get worms during the winter, maybe they are avaliable at some pet shops so i´l have to check.

Will any non-poisonous mushroom do? Like store bought champignon? Because i can´t really pick mushrooms in the wild during the winter.
Yep, store
Bought mushrooms are perfect. For sure wouldn't try to pick any. Fungi can get very difficult to identify. So many species, and lots
Can be toxic. Worms aren't that huge of a deal. But they do love them.
 

Korall

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Yep, store
Bought mushrooms are perfect. For sure wouldn't try to pick any. Fungi can get very difficult to identify. So many species, and lots
Can be toxic. Worms aren't that huge of a deal. But they do love them.

Okay so now I know, my tortoise's diet should be made up of: Green leaves (Dandelion, lettuce etc), small amounts of fruit and some store bought mushrooms. Also is it okay to feed them slices of cucumber occasionally?
And another thing, should I feed my tortoise daily? Because I have found lots of mixed information about this.
 

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