Threat: harmless

Venom/Toxin: none

Description: It is a medium-sized light brown tortoise On the back of its shell, the tortoise has a 90 degree hinge which, when closed, can protect its rear legs and tail from predators. The scutes on its slightly domed and elongated shell typically have a radiating pattern of dark patches, though these can fade. Adult males have a concave belly. Most Bell's hinge-backs have five claws on each forefoot.

Tags: tortoise

Length: up to 22 cm

In its natural habitat, its predators are leopards, hawks and eagles.

Bell's hing backed tortoises are omnivores and feed on insects, millipedes, snails, slugs, dead frogs and tadpoles are eaten and a wide variety of vegetation, fruit and even fungi

Trend: decreasing

They favour tropical and sub-tropical savannahs of sub-Saharan Africa.

Currently it is mainly threatened by widespread collection from the wild for the illegal international trade in the species. It is also collected by local peoples for food and human population growth in the area is putting pressure on the species. Human-induced fire is also a threat. In most Zambian cultures, turtles and tortoises are revered and respected by people. It is said that one should never kill a turtle or tortoise without reason. If you are to come across one stuck upside down along your path, it is said to be good luck to help it and turn it over to let it goon its way and that doing the opposite or leaving it stuck is very bad luck and karma.