Chersina angulata
Encyclopedia
The Bowsprit tortoise also known as the Angulate tortoise or Rooipens, is a species
of tortoise
found in dry areas and scrub forest in South Africa
. This tortoise in the only known
member of the genus Chersina.
, Karoo
and coastal scrub vegetation of the south-western part of South Africa
. This natural range extends across the Cape Floristic Region
, as far north as the southern part of Namibia. In addition, small colonies have been introduced by tourists to domestic gardens in Swakopmund
and Walvis Bay
, further north in central Namibia. There is also a colony on Dassen Island
, off the South African coast.
. It is also increasingly threatened by illegal collecting for the pet trade. Outside of their natural range and climate they do not usually survive well, so when exported overseas, these pets usually die. This is partly because they are adapted to the warm, dry, Mediterranean-type climate of South Africa. They also naturally eat a wide range of indigenous South African plants and, if kept in a garden, they require a similarly wide range of plants available to feed on. They will not stay healthy if fed only on lettuce.
This tortoise, like most reptiles, also needs to be able to regulate its own temperature, by moving between sunny and shady spots. If kept as a pet, it therefore needs a large garden where it can both warm itself in natural sunlight, as well as seek shade when necessary. It needs a dry habitat, as constant moisture is particularly bad for it. If the garden is suburban then it also should be well-fenced, so that the tortoise does not wander into the nearby streets and traffic.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of tortoise
Tortoise
Tortoises are a family of land-dwelling reptiles of the order of turtles . Like their marine cousins, the sea turtles, tortoises are shielded from predators by a shell. The top part of the shell is the carapace, the underside is the plastron, and the two are connected by the bridge. The tortoise...
found in dry areas and scrub forest in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. This tortoise in the only known
Monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group with only one biological type. The term's usage differs slightly between botany and zoology. The term monotypic has a separate use in conservation biology, monotypic habitat, regarding species habitat conversion eliminating biodiversity and...
member of the genus Chersina.
Description
A small, shy tortoise with a relatively variable shell. They can often be distinguished by their prominent "bowsprits", which are protrusions from their lower carapace under their chins. These are used by males to fight for territory or females.Natural Range
Their natural habitat is the FynbosFynbos
Fynbos is the natural shrubland or heathland vegetation occurring in a small belt of the Western Cape of South Africa, mainly in winter rainfall coastal and mountainous areas with a Mediterranean climate...
, Karoo
Karoo
The Karoo is a semi-desert region of South Africa. It has two main sub-regions - the Great Karoo in the north and the Little Karoo in the south. The 'High' Karoo is one of the distinct physiographic provinces of the larger South African Platform division.-Great Karoo:The Great Karoo has an area of...
and coastal scrub vegetation of the south-western part of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. This natural range extends across the Cape Floristic Region
Cape floristic region
The Cape Floristic Region is a floristic region located near the southern tip of South Africa. It is the only floristic region of the Cape Floristic Kingdom, and includes only one floristic province, known as the Cape Floristic Province.The Cape Floristic Region, the smallest of the six recognised...
, as far north as the southern part of Namibia. In addition, small colonies have been introduced by tourists to domestic gardens in Swakopmund
Swakopmund
Swakopmund is a city on the coast of northwestern Namibia, west of Windhoek, Namibia's capital. It is the capital of the Erongo administrative district. As a seaside resort, the weather is cooler here in December to January so the territorial administration moves to Swakopmund for these months...
and Walvis Bay
Walvis Bay
Walvis Bay , is a city in Namibia and the name of the bay on which it lies...
, further north in central Namibia. There is also a colony on Dassen Island
Dassen Island
Dassen Island is a South African island in the Atlantic Ocean. It is situated about 10km west of Yzerfontein and 55km north of Cape Town. The flat and low-lying island measures about 3.1 km long northwest-southeast, and 1 km wide, with an area of 2.73 km²...
, off the South African coast.
The Bowsprit Tortoise in captivity
The Bowsprit tortoise is commonly kept as a garden pet in South AfricaSouth Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. It is also increasingly threatened by illegal collecting for the pet trade. Outside of their natural range and climate they do not usually survive well, so when exported overseas, these pets usually die. This is partly because they are adapted to the warm, dry, Mediterranean-type climate of South Africa. They also naturally eat a wide range of indigenous South African plants and, if kept in a garden, they require a similarly wide range of plants available to feed on. They will not stay healthy if fed only on lettuce.
This tortoise, like most reptiles, also needs to be able to regulate its own temperature, by moving between sunny and shady spots. If kept as a pet, it therefore needs a large garden where it can both warm itself in natural sunlight, as well as seek shade when necessary. It needs a dry habitat, as constant moisture is particularly bad for it. If the garden is suburban then it also should be well-fenced, so that the tortoise does not wander into the nearby streets and traffic.