Angulate tortoise
African turtle beak chest
The African beak breast turtle ( Chersina angulata ) is a species of the family of tortoises and the only type that is attributed to the genus Chersina. It is native to South Africa and Namibia.
Appearance
Adult males of the African beak breast turtle have a carapace length of 22.5 to 28.5 inches. Females are much smaller and have a carapace length of 18.5 to 22.5 inches. The type usually has 10 edge shields. The plastron is slightly longer than the carapace, which is relatively long and narrow.
The color of the carapace is highly variable, ranging from a light horn color with a yellowish - brown to olive. The individual vertebrae and back shields each have dark edges and a dark center that stands out clearly against the lighter plate center. The edge shields in the front area and in the middle of the body have dark triangles on a light background. The plastron is yellow to yellow- reddish.
Males can be distinguished from the females at the concave plastron and the longer and thicker tail.
Distribution, habitat and way of life
The African beak breast turtle is native to South Africa and Namibia and get there before both in semi-deserts as well as humid areas. Characteristic of their habitat are hot and dry summers and cold and quite rainy winters. The African beak breast turtle inhabited three different vegetation zones. The one is characterized by a heath and grassy vegetation is characteristic for the south and west of the Cape region, with Sukkulentenbewuchs zones and dunes thickets with evergreen trees and shrubs.
The African beak turtle is active all year round. However, during long rainy and cool winters it utilizes self-dug caves. It feeds mainly vegetable and supplemented their diet with snails. It also eats the feces of mammals. The nest of the African tortoise beak usually includes only one egg, in exceptional cases even two. The length of time until the egg hatches a juvenile is dependent on the ambient temperature and humidity. Usually elapse between egg laying and hatching between 90 us 125 days.