Homes tortoise (strange species)

David Salas

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A little about myself, I'm 61 years old and have had and loved lizards and tortoises since I was in my teens, I have a quince monitor, a Uromastyx , an ackie monitor and my new Homes tortoise. It arrived on Friday and I find this peculiar species very different from the redfoot and desert tortoises along with various tortoises and turtles I've had in the past.
Which is why I'm here, I have seen the little guy (Homes tortoise) walking around and soaking in his dish. But I haven't seen him eating. Sweet potatoes, raw fish forest tortoise food and weeds from my back yard. Not sure if he ate the fish? But will try hard boiled eggs tomorrow. Please any help and information will be appreciated.
 

Jacqui

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Hi! They tend to have sweet tooths, so try ripe fruits and things that move like worms. The fact that he is out walking means you are beyond the normal trouble with new hingebacks.
 

zovick

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A little about myself, I'm 61 years old and have had and loved lizards and tortoises since I was in my teens, I have a quince monitor, a Uromastyx , an ackie monitor and my new Homes tortoise. It arrived on Friday and I find this peculiar species very different from the redfoot and desert tortoises along with various tortoises and turtles I've had in the past.
Which is why I'm here, I have seen the little guy (Homes tortoise) walking around and soaking in his dish. But I haven't seen him eating. Sweet potatoes, raw fish forest tortoise food and weeds from my back yard. Not sure if he ate the fish? But will try hard boiled eggs tomorrow. Please any help and information will be appreciated.

Hello David,

Homes' Hingeback Tortoises are a forest species who do not like a lot of bright light. They need to be kept fairly damp and have a water dish or pool available as they like to get in the water and soak. You will also find that they are crepuscular (most active at dawn and dusk). Note the large eyes for seeing better when it is darker. They love to eat earthworms as Jacqui noted. They will also eat carrots, corn, beans, mushrooms, and assorted melons, papaya, and other fruits. They don't seem to eat a lot of salad type greens in my experience. You could try feeding pinky mice if you are so inclined. I think they would eat live ones better than frozen ones because the movement might stimulate a stronger feeding response.

I have kept both forest hingeback species and often used both canned and frozen mixed vegetables, corn, beans, frozen soup mixes, etc. as quick and easy to find foods during the winter months. I also wore a path to my local bait shop buying earthworms and night crawlers which were devoured in seconds upon being placed in with the tortoises.

Hopefully some of these ideas will be of help to you. Good luck!

Pictured below is my group of 3.4 adult Kinixys homeana. Ruler in photo is 13" in length. Largest adults are about 10" SCL.
K. homeana Group.jpg
 
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Jacqui

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They do indeed like live pinky mice. Was the fish in the water? Curious as some of mine would catch live fish.

What caused you to try a hingeback?
 

David Salas

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They do indeed like live pinky mice. Was the fish in the water? Curious as some of mine would catch live fish.

What caused you to try a hingeback?
Price I guess, and the fact that it was an omnivore and required low amounts of UV...all pluses in my book
 

Tidgy's Dad

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Hello, David, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum. :)
Indeed, one of the more unusual species.
It's quite normal that they don't eat when settling into a new home.
If your set up's right, it will eat in a while. :tort::<3:
 

TammyJ

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Hello and welcome, David. Love the hingebacks.
 
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