Homopus | |
---|---|
Common padloper (Homopus areolatus) | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Testudines |
Suborder: | Cryptodira |
Superfamily: | Testudinoidea |
Family: | Testudinidae |
Genus: |
Homopus A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1834 [1] |
Species | |
2 |
Homopus is a genus of tiny tortoises in the family Testudinidae, endemic to southern Africa. Three species have been moved to the genus Chersobius.[ citation needed]
As a group, these closely related species are commonly known in Europe and Africa as padlopers (originally meaning "path-walkers" in Afrikaans), due to their habit of making tiny pathways through vegetation. [2] [3] In other parts of the world, such as the United States, they are known as Cape tortoises. [1] [4]
The genus is indigenous and endemic to South Africa.
The genus contains these species:
Image | Common Name | Scientific name | Distribution |
---|---|---|---|
common padloper or parrot-beaked tortoise | Homopus areolatus | southern Cape coastal region, the most common padloper species. [5] | |
greater padloper or Karoo cape tortoise [sic] | Homopus femoralis [6] | the highveld grasslands, the largest of the padlopers. [7] |
They are threatened by habitat destruction, [4] traffic on roads, overgrazing, and poaching for the pet trade. [7] Another threat comes from introduced species, such as domestic dogs and pigs.[ citation needed]
Among the Homopus species, H. areolatus adapts well to captivity, as their diets are not highly specialized. [3] The others do not generally survive well in captivity unless some effort is made to supply them with their natural food, that is, endemic plants from the Cape/Karoo regions. [3] Many are taken from their natural habitat each year, and subsequently die as a result, as they do not readily adapt to typical captive diets and environment change. [3] However, they can be very hardy in captivity, and most problems with captive care are caused by faulty nutrition, high humidity, or bad husbandry. [3]
Homopus | |
---|---|
Common padloper (Homopus areolatus) | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Testudines |
Suborder: | Cryptodira |
Superfamily: | Testudinoidea |
Family: | Testudinidae |
Genus: |
Homopus A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1834 [1] |
Species | |
2 |
Homopus is a genus of tiny tortoises in the family Testudinidae, endemic to southern Africa. Three species have been moved to the genus Chersobius.[ citation needed]
As a group, these closely related species are commonly known in Europe and Africa as padlopers (originally meaning "path-walkers" in Afrikaans), due to their habit of making tiny pathways through vegetation. [2] [3] In other parts of the world, such as the United States, they are known as Cape tortoises. [1] [4]
The genus is indigenous and endemic to South Africa.
The genus contains these species:
Image | Common Name | Scientific name | Distribution |
---|---|---|---|
common padloper or parrot-beaked tortoise | Homopus areolatus | southern Cape coastal region, the most common padloper species. [5] | |
greater padloper or Karoo cape tortoise [sic] | Homopus femoralis [6] | the highveld grasslands, the largest of the padlopers. [7] |
They are threatened by habitat destruction, [4] traffic on roads, overgrazing, and poaching for the pet trade. [7] Another threat comes from introduced species, such as domestic dogs and pigs.[ citation needed]
Among the Homopus species, H. areolatus adapts well to captivity, as their diets are not highly specialized. [3] The others do not generally survive well in captivity unless some effort is made to supply them with their natural food, that is, endemic plants from the Cape/Karoo regions. [3] Many are taken from their natural habitat each year, and subsequently die as a result, as they do not readily adapt to typical captive diets and environment change. [3] However, they can be very hardy in captivity, and most problems with captive care are caused by faulty nutrition, high humidity, or bad husbandry. [3]