Hello everyone! My name is Nicholas Cooper. Just thought you all would like to see my two tortoises. I promise you that you have probably never seen this kind of tortoise before. they are an Endangered Species appex 2. I have added some pics and a species profile along with them.
Species: Chersina Angulata (BowSprit)
Age: Approximately 5-6 years as of now
I build their home in about 2 hours, heated sand, live plants with soil under the sand for scenery plus a small pond with filtered flowing water!
I also use a (20w 60cm/24" Repti Glo 8.0 Desert Terrarium Lamp) For reptiles with very high UV requirements. I have it hanging about three feet off the ground from the ceiling.
If you have any questions please feel free to leave a post or pm me.
The information about my tortoises was copyed from the net via
http://www.honoluluzoo.org/bowsprit_tortoise.htm
Here are a few pis of my tortoises and their home. The Species information will follow the pics.
http://img2.imgspot.com/u/04/186/00/tortoise1.JPG
http://img2.imgspot.com/u/04/186/00/tortoise2.JPG
http://img2.imgspot.com/u/04/186/00/tortoise3.JPG
http://img2.imgspot.com/u/04/186/00/t4.JPG
http://img2.imgspot.com/u/04/186/00/t5.JPG
http://img2.imgspot.com/u/04/186/00/t6.JPG
http://img2.imgspot.com/u/04/186/00/t7.JPG
Bowsprit Tortoise
Scientific name: Chersina angulata
Family: Testudinidae
Order: Testudines
Class: Reptilia
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Previously known to science as Testudo angulata, the South African Bowsprit Tortoise is recognized as not only a turtle, but also, more specifically, a land or country tortoise. Its average weight is around 1 to 1.5 kilograms and it ranges from 10-20 centimeters in length. The carapace, is long, and tanish in color.
Sexual dimorphism is prevalent in the Bowsprit Tortoises. Furthermore, there are distinguishing features that accompany age and sex. In older Bowsprit Tortoises, the carapace tends to be thicker, hence protecting them from predation. All males have a prominent and well-expanded throat shield that serves as a weapon for fighting an opponent. Maturity gives rise to sexual distinctions as the plastron concavity in males becomes more pronounced than the females' plastron.
DISTRIBUTION and HABITAT:
The Bowsprit Tortoise resides in Namibia, South Africa, and areas around Cape Province, encompassing territories along the coast from East London in South Africa to the opening of the Orange River. Their habitat can be characterized as desert-like, sandy, dry and rocky. Because of their adaptations to such an arid environment, Bowsprit Tortoises are vulnerable in environments of high moisture and humidity. While their habitat is desert-like, Chersina angulata can be found in areas containing vegetation that usually includes a small area of desert.
BEHAVIOR:
The Bowsprit Tortoise population has been greatly affected by its relationship with other arid habitat creatures. The Bowsprit Tortoises, specifically on Dassen Island, have been found to have an inverse relationship with the Jackass Penguins where if the penguin population decreases, the tortoise population rises. This inverse relationship is due to the defecation by penguins that, consequently, strip the land of vegetation eaten by the Bowsprit Tortoises. Rabbits and Bowsprit Tortoises also compete over necessary resources for survival within their shared habitats.
Behavioral patterns of the Bowsprit Tortoise are quite unique. For one, these Tortoises drink water in a very peculiar manner, through nasal inhalation. Territorial males, protecting an area from other males, may influence population densities. Though the male Bowsprit Tortoises are usually territorial, there have been cases where other males have been allowed within the territory of a particular male. Bowsprit Tortoises are also fast walkers, contrary to the common tortoises.
DIET:
These tortoises feed on annuals, grasses, and other lush and fibrous vegetation.
REPRODUCTION and GROWTH:
The reproduction rate of these tortoises is slow. There have been incidents where a sudden increase in reproduction did occur, therefore providing for the possibility that the bowsprit tortoise is capable of sudden and rapid population increases. Hatching success of Bowsprit Tortoises is as high as 80 percent. Within the first year of life, 40 percent of the survivors will die. Each following year, up to the 8th year, the remaining tortoises will succumb at about 2 percent per year mortality rate. After the 8th year or the age of maturity, tortoises may succumb to an annual mortality rate of 0.5 percent.
CONSERVATION STATUS:
The Bowsprit Tortoise is endemic to South Africa. On January 7, 1975, due to the extremely low numbers of Bowsprit Tortoises, the species Chersina angulata was established as an endangered species in Appendix II of the CITES endangered species list. Presently, due to the protective laws for creatures under Appendix II, regulations on the trade and export of the Bowsprit Tortoises are very strict.
Wild Population:
The Bowsprit Tortoise population on Dassen Island in 1989 was estimated at 5,937.
Hope you all like my two females and their setup
ps. I am selling one, so if your interested look in the Canadian classified section, under (other).
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