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Common Padloper (Homopus areolatus) – Victor Loehr
Enclosure
The Common Padloper
(Homopus areolatus) is successfully
kept and bred in a studbook supervised
by the Homopus Research Foundation, in enclosures measuring approximately 1 m2
for up to three adult specimens. Males show aggression amongst each other, and
need to be housed separately. Males and females can be housed together
year-round. Terraria of keepers functioning within the studbook for the species
have always been decorated to imitate the natural habitat of the tortoises,
with a soil consisting of fine gravel or course sand, wood stumps and (real or
artificial) rocks, and sometimes (live or artificial) plants. It is essential
that multiple hiding places are present, in which the tortoises can retreat.
The animals show a preference for hiding places under plants and logs, where
they can partially dig in the soil substrate. The soil layer has to be at least
15 cm at one site, to allow nesting by females. Enclosures need to be sprayed
from time to time, preferably more often in winter (for instance twice or three
times weekly) than in summer (for instance once weekly very lightly), to
simulate the natural climatic cycle.
Juveniles in the
studbook are being kept successfully in more simple enclosures, starting at
approximately 0.10 m2 for two to three hatchlings. These enclosures
are decorated with the same soil substrate as the adult enclosures and a
(natural or artificial) hiding place. Hatchlings can be kept on newspaper
substrate for the first week. Small and simple enclosures allow better
observation and therefore increase the chance of survival of the tortoises. Juvenile
tortoises need to be kept relatively humid, with at least a part of the soil
kept permanently humid. A spraying frequency of every other day for the first
year, at least twice weekly for the second, and thereafter as for the adult
tortoises is recommended. Soaking the hatchlings several times weekly can help
to prevent dehydration.
Temperature/illumination
The enclosures
described here are being illuminated by means of tube lights and (halogen or
standard) light bulbs. Illumination may provide UV radiation, but this is not
essential (in the latter case sufficient vitamin D has to be provided in the
diet). Since the light intensity in the natural distribution range is high,
there appears to be no maximum light intensity in captivity. It is recommended
to install at least one tube light for a minimum light intensity, or to provide
natural daylight. The photoperiod needs to be adjusted to the natural
distribution range. This means 13-14 hours in summer and 9-10 hours in winter,
with a gradual shift between these two limits. Climatic cycle can be adjusted
to northern or southern hemisphere.
The light bulbs heat
the enclosures described here, sometimes in combination with soil heating. The
day temperatures need to fluctuate with the season, for instance 30-35°C in
summer and 25-30°C in winter. Night temperature always needs to be lower than
day temperature. There is no minimum night temperature, as long as the
temperature remains above 0°C. The day temperature under a (standard or
halogen) spot light needs to be higher, for instance 40°C or higher, to allow
basking. This spot may be switched off for some time during winter.
Diet
The adult tortoises
in the studbook are mostly being fed with green plant material (Taraxacum, Plantago, endive, chicory, et cetera), supplemented with a
fiber-rich component such as chopped hay several times weekly at some
locations. Feeding can be done every other day. Fruit maybe offered
occasionally (for instance once weekly) in small quantities, but this is not
recommended. It is probably best to feed the tortoises year-round, as they
usually show some activity in each season.
Juveniles need to be fed more frequently, hatchlings every day. This can be reduced to six times weekly when the tortoises are one year old and every other day after for instance two years.
It is recommended to
provide drinking water at all times, as the tortoises drink infrequently.
Supplements
The food of
tortoises in the studbook is supplemented with a commercial calcium/vitamin
additive at all feedings.
Situation in the wild and in captivity
Homopus areolatus
is relatively rare in captivity, but not endangered in
the wild. However, the natural distribution range is small and human pressure
is increasing for various reasons. Therefore it is of importance to gather
life-history information on the species as soon as possible (both in the wild
and in captivity), allowing formulation of wildlife management plans if
necessary.
Literature
A detailed
bibliography can be found at http://www.homopus.org
, literature section.
Additional information
This caresheet was drawn up in April 2002. Husbandry and caring methods are dynamic and therefore it is recommended to check http://www.homopus.org for updates
Care sheet used with permission - www.chelonia.org - World Chelonian Trust
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95696