Turtle Cinixys Rongée - Kinixys Rrosa

Gnawed Cinixys

Native to west-central Africa, the Gnawed Cinixys(Kinixys erosa) lives in hot, humid tropical forests. It is the largest of the Kinixys turtles, recognizable by its highly serrated carapace and elongated head. An excellent swimmer, it likes to spend time in the water, enjoying the coolness of forest pools and streams.

Lifestyle and behavior

A discreet and mainly nocturnal species, the Gnawed Cinixys comes out at night to feed or move around, away from predators. Most active after rain, it takes refuge during the day under leaves, roots or tree trunks. Its ability to move easily between land and water makes it well suited to life in the rainforest.

Diet

Omnivorous, this turtle feeds on invertebrates, carrion, mushrooms, plants and fruit that have fallen to the ground. Opportunistic, it adapts easily to the food available in its environment, enabling it to survive in a variety of habitats despite human disturbance.

Threats and conservation

The Gnawed Cinixys is threatened by deforestation and hunting. In some parts of Africa, it is eaten for its meat, often taken from pregnant females, which compromises the species' reproduction. Fortunately, some tribes consider turtles sacred and protect them, enabling local populations to subsist in preserved areas.

Click here to discover and visit the A Cupulatta turtle park near Ajaccio.