Dwarf Tortoise Conservation

Dwarf Tortoise Conservation is a non-commercial foundation run by volunteers. The aim of the foundation is to facilitate the survival of dwarf tortoises in the wild. This aim is achieved through scientific field studies, and through the development and study of captive assurance populations. Our results are published in scientific and popular outlets.

Dwarf tortoises

Short characteristic of the dwarf tortoises

Dwarf tortoises comprise five species endemic to Namibia and South Africa:

  • Karoo dwarf tortoise (Chersobius boulengeri)
  • Speckled dwarf tortoise (Chersobius signatus)
  • Nama dwarf tortoise (Chersobius solus)
  • Parrot-beaked dwarf tortoise (Homopus areolatus)
  • Greater dwarf tortoise (Homopus femoralis)

All are small, relatively flattened tortoises (maximum shell length 10-17 cm), and they include the world’s smallest tortoise (speckled dwarf tortoise). Males are smaller than females, and male Chersobius spp. have concave plastrons. The genus Homopus derives its name from the fact that the front and the hind feet have four claws (homo-pus = same-foot). Most tortoise species, including Chersobius spp., have five claws on the front feet. Dwarf tortoises live secretive lives in densily-structured habitats, and only Karoo and speckled dwarf tortoises have been reasonly well-studied. All species are uncommon in captivity.

Taxonomy

Since the early twentieth century, all dwarf tortoises were considered to represent a single genus, Homopus. However,  a study in 2018 demonstrated that Homopus spp. actually represent two genera, Chersobius and Homopus. Other recent taxonomic changes are the formal description of the Nama dwarf tortoise (Chersobius solus) in 2007, and the synonimisation of two subspecies of speckled dwarf tortoises (Chersobius signatus cafer and Chersobius signatus signatus) in 2010. One extinct fossil Homopus species is known as H. fenestratus.

Threats

The  IUCN Red List of Theatened Species has assessed all dwarf tortoise species. The three Chersobius spp. categorise Endangered (Karoo and speckled dwarf tortoise) and Vulnerable (Nama dwarf tortoise), and both Homopus spp. categorise Least Concern, although their numbers are declining too. Main threats to the survival of dwarf tortoises are overgrazing, agriculture, mining, climate change, road casualties, and poaching for the pet trade. Dwarf Tortoise Conservation is actively involved in assessments of conservation statuses of dwarf tortoises.

Looking for more information about South African chelonians?

Are you a South African citizen looking for information about tortoise identification, care, permit requirements, or agricultural practises that minimise disturbance to tortoises? In that case, you might find this  booklet by CapeNature useful.

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Studbooks

Why studbooks?

In our lifetimes, we are witnessing a mass extinction of species. Governments, conservation organisations and many others are working hard to slow down habitat destruction and exploitation of wild populations, but this will be too late for many species. Studbooks enable ex situ (e.g., outside the natural habitat) conservation of species. In other words, the development of assurance colonies in captivity. Many examples demonstrate that captive populations can serve as sources for introductions in the wild, once threats that caused extinction have been removed. These examples do not just include iconic mammals such as Arabian oryx, Arabian sand gazelles and Przewalski’s horses, but also black-footed ferrets, golden lion tamarins, California condors, northern bald ibis, partula snails, fen raft spiders, and Hermann’s, spurred and desert tortoises. Another important advantage of captive populations is that they generate information about species’ ecologies that is of direct use for in situ (e.g., in the natural habitat) conservation. Dwarf Tortoise Conservation coordinates studbooks for four dwarf tortoise species. Participants in the studbooks are private tortoise keepers and zoos.

Open for participation

Dwarf Tortoise Conservation can always use the help of experienced European (mainland) tortoise keepers. If you would like to house one or more dwarf tortoises, check the  studbook management plan (if available) and latest annual report and action plan to understand what dwarf tortoise studbooks are about (e.g., they are not about breeding many offspring, but about keeping tortoises in good conditions for many years, and possibly breeding few offspring).  Send us a brief motivation with your background, location and interest, and we will contact you.

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Conservation

Research

Species conservation relies on ecological data. For example, how much space does a species need? What does it eat? How long does it take males and females to mature and reproduce? How long do they survive? Throughout the first 25 years of its existence, Dwarf Tortoise Conservation has conducted extensive scientific field studies on the two most endangered South African dwarf tortoises: Karoo dwarf tortoises (Chersobius boulengeri) and speckled dwarf tortoises (Chersobius signatus). In addition, greater dwarf tortoises (Homopus femoralis) were studied. When the studies started, virtually nothing was known about the ecologies of dwarf tortoises. Upon completion, data had been published about morphology, home ranges, habitat use, behaviour, diet, body condition, reproduction, tick infestation, population size and composition, and population dynamics. These data are instrumental for current conservation actions.

Conservation

Conservation of dwarf tortoises occurs in several ways. All dwarf tortoises species are legally protected in their natural ranges, and it is not allowed to remove or even handle them without permits. Internationally, trade in all dwarf tortoises is regulated through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). That means that CITES export permits are required to export dwarf tortoises from a country, and sometimes also CITES import permits are required to import dwarf tortoises into a country (e.g., any import of dwarf tortoises into the European Union requires an import permit).

The studbooks that Dwarf Tortoise Conservation has for the dwarf tortoise species that are threatened most (e.g., the endangered Karoo and speckled dwarf tortoises) aim to conserve these species in genetically-healthy captive populations, as back-ups for declining wild populations. In addition, the studbooks generate data for in situ (i.e., inside the natural habitats) conservation.

In the natural ranges of Karoo and speckled dwarf tortoises, the Drylands Conservation Programme of the Endangered Wildlife Trust collaborates with Dwarf Tortoise Conservation to survey and identify extant wild populations. This work is facilitated by the use of a sniffer dog, which was trained using scents from tortoises in the studbooks. The Drylands Conservation Programme staff approaches land owners with extant dwarf tortoise populations to help them develop sustainable farming practises. Moreover, methods are explored to reduce hyperpredation of dwarf tortoises by crows and ravens. Other conservation collaborations include Turtle Conservancy and the European Turtle Alliance.
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Articles, notes and posters generated by, or with, Dwarf Tortoise Conservation

Scientific articles

Posters

Notes and popular articles

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(Incomplete) dwarf tortoise bibliography

  • Alderton, D. 1988. Turtles and tortoises of the world. Blandford Press, London.
  • Anonymous. Land tortoises of southern Africa; Cape Padloper (Homopus areolatus). African Wildlife. Undated.
  • Anonymous. Land tortoises of southern Africa; Karoo Padloper (Homopus boulengeri). African Wildlife 40: 72. Undated.
  • Anonymous. Land tortoises of southern Africa; Speckled Padloper (Homopus signatus). African Wildlife 40: 222. Undated.
  • Archer, W.H. 1968. The padlopers. African Wild Life 22: 29-35.
  • Baard, E.H.W. 1994. Cape tortoises, their identification and care. Cape Nature Conservation (South Africa).
  • Barzyk, J.E. 1994. Husbandry and captive breeding of the parrot-beaked tortoise, Homopus areolatus. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 1: 138-141.
  • Basile, I.A. 1989. Faszinierende Schildkröten – Landschildkröten. Verlag Stephanie Naglschmid, Stuttgart.
  • Bayoff, N. 1995. Observations and morphometric data on the Namaqualand speckled tortoise, Homopus s. signatus (Gmelin, 1789), in South Africa. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 1: 215-220.
  • Bonin, F., Deveaux, B. and Dupré, A. 1996. Toutes les tortues du monde. Delachaux et Niestlé, Lausanne (Switzerland).
  • Boycott, R. 1986. A review of Homopus signatus with notes on related species. Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa 32: 10-16.
  • Boycott, R.C. and Bourquin, O. 1988. The South African tortoise book, a guide to South African tortoises, terrapins and turtles. Soutern Book Publishers, Johannesburg (South Africa).
  • Boulenger, G.A. 1888. Description of a new land-tortoise from South Africa, from a specimen living in the society’s gardens. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London: 251 (1 plate).
  • Boulenger, G.A. 1890. Note on the secondary sexual characters in the South-African tortoises of the genus Homopus. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London: 521.
  • Boulenger, G.A. 1907. Second report on the batrachians and reptiles collected in South Africa by Mr. C.H.B. Grant and presented to the British Museum by Mr. C.D. Rudd. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London October 1907: 478-483.
  • Bour, R.H. 1988. Taxonomic and nomenclatural status of Homopus signatus. Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa 35: 1-6.
  • Branch, W.R. and Braack, H.H. 1987. Reptiles and amphibians of the Karoo National Park: a surprising diversity. Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa 36: 26-35.
  • Branch, W.R. 1988&1998. Field Guide to the Snakes and Other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Three editions. Cape Town: Struik Publishers.
  • Branch, W.R. 1988. Bill Branch se Veldgids tot die slange en ander reptiele van Suider-Afrika. Cape Town: Struik Publishers.
  • Branch, W.R. 1989. Homopus bergeri, Species Status reports. In: Swingland, I.R. and Klemens, M.W.. The conservation biology of tortoises. Occasional Papers of the IUCN Species Survival Commission No. 5: 75-77.
  • Branch, W.R. 1991. Homopus femoralis, greater padloper, size. Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa: 39: 27.
  • Branch, B.R. 1992. Homopus ‘bergeri‘ – a wrong name for a new tortoise from southern Namibia. Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa 40: 11.
  • Branch, W.R. 1993. South African Snakes and Other Reptiles, a photographic guide. London: New Holland Publishers.
  • Branch, W.R. 1999. Homopus femoralis, greater padloper, egg and clutch size. African Herp News 30: 28-29.
  •  Branch, W.R. 2007. A new species of tortoise of the genus Homopus (Chelonia: Testudinidae) from southern Namibia. African Journal of Herpetology 56: 1-21.
  • Broschell, S. 2000. Leben und Fortpflanzung der Areolen-Flachschildkröte Homopus areolatus (Thunberg, 1787) in menschlicher Obhut. Sauria 22(3): 3-9.
  • Burger, M. 1993. The herpetofauna of Anysberg Nature Reserve, Cape Province, South Africa. Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa 42: 1-12.
  • Cairncross, B.L. 1946. Notes on South African Tortoises. Annals of the Transvaal Museum 1946: 395-397.
  • Cunningham, P.L. and Simang, A. 2007. Some aspects of ecology and behaviour of Homopus sp. from southwestern Namibia (Testudines: Cryptodira: Testudinidae). Herpetozoa 19: 129-134.
  • Daniels, S.R., Hofmeyr, M.D., Henen, B.T. and Baard, E.H.W. 2010. Systematics and phylogeography of a threatened tortoise, the speckled padloper. Animal Conservation 13: 237-246.
  • Dampier, L. 1997. Cape Tortoises: The little guys of turtledom. Reptile Hobbyist October: 36-43.
  • Deveaux, B. 1997. L’Afrique du Sud. La Tortue 16: 27.
  • De Waal, S.W.P. 1980. The Testudines (Reptilia) of the Orange Free State, South Africa. Navorsinge van die Nasionale Museum 4: 85-91.
  • Duerden, J.E. 1907. Genetics of the colour pattern in tortoises of the genus Homopus and its allies. Records of the Albany Museum 2 (1907): 65-92.
  • Ernst, C. H. and Barbour, R.W. 1989. Turtles of the World. Washington D.C., London: Smithsonian Institution Press.
  • Fleck, J. and Fleck, S. 2001. Erfolgreiche Nachzucht von Chersina angulata und Homopus areolatus über mehrere Jahre. Elaphe 9: 5-14.
  • Goosen, H. 1983. Dopdiere uit die oertyd. Suid-Afrikaanse Panorama April 1983: 48-50.
  • Gorseman, P. 1980. Opmerkingen over biotoop en voortplanting van Homopus areolatus. Lacerta 38: 107-111.
  • Greig, J.C. 1987. Land tortoises of Southern Africa: Greater Padloper, Homopus femoralis. African Wildlife 41: 138.
  • Greig, J.C. and Burdett, P.D. 1976. Patterns in the distribution of southern African terrestrial tortoises (Cryptodira: Testudinidae). Zoologica Africana 11: 249-273.
  • Greig, J. and Boycott, R. 1978. Our land tortoises. African Wildlife 32: 39-42.
  • Haagner, G.V. 1990. Homopus boulengeri, Karoo padloper, egg size. Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa 37: 51.
  • Hewitt, J. 1931. Descriptions of some African tortoises. Annals of the Natal Museum 6: 461-506.
  • Hewitt, J. 1937. A note on the relationships of the Cape genera of land-tortoises. South African Journal of Science 33: 788-796.
  • Hughes, B. 1986. Longevity records of African captive amphibians and reptiles: Part 1. Introduction and species list 1 – amphibians and chelonians. Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa 32: 1-9.
  • Iverson, J.B. 1992. A Revised Checklist with Distribution Maps of the Turtles of the World. Privately printed. IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (1989). Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles; An Action Plan for their Conservation. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.
  • Karl, H.-V. and Tichy, G. 1999. Die Taxonomie von Homopus bergeri LINDHOLM 1906 (Testudines: Testudinidae). Mauritania 17(2): 277-284.
  • King, F.W. and Burke, R.L. 1989. Crocodilian, Tuatara, and Turtle species of the world. A taxonomic and geographic reference. Association of Systematics Collections, Washington, DC.
  • Loveridge, A., Willams, E.E. 1957. Genus Homopus Duméril and Bibron. In: Revision of the African tortoises and turtles of the suborder Cryptodira. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 115: 352-374.
  • Mertens, R. 1955. Die Amphibien und Reptilien Südwestafrikas: aus den Ergebnissen einer im Jahre 1952 ausgeführten Reise. Abhandlungen der Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft 490: 33-39.
  • Morgan, D.R. 1993. Homopus signatus, speckled padloper, reproduction. Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa 42: 34.
  • Müller, G. 1987. Schildkröten: Land-, Sumpf- und Wasserschildkröten im Terrarium. Unknown publisher.
  • Müller, V. and Schmidt, W. 1995. Landschildkröten. Natur und Tier – Verlag, Münster (Germany).
  • Noel-Hume, I. and Noel-Hulme, A. 1954. Tortoises, terrapins and turtles. W. & G. Foyle, Ltd. London.
  • Obst, F.J. 1980. Schildkröten. Urania Verlag, Leipzig – Jena – Berlin.
  • Obst, F.J. 1988. Die Welt der Schildkröten. Leipzig (Edition Leipzig).
  • Oettle, E.E., Steytler, Y.G.M., and Williams M.C. 1990: High mortality in a tortoise colony. South African Journal of Wildlife Research 20: 21-25.
  • Palmer, M. 1994. The speckled tortoise, Homopus signatus, in captivity. Tortuga Gazette 30: 1-5.
  • Patterson, R. 1991. Snakes and other reptiles of southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik Publishers.
  • Perrin, M.R. and Campbell, B.S. 1981. Some aspects of thermoregulation in three species of southern African tortoises. South African Journal of Zoology 16: 35-43.
  • Pritchard, P.C.H. 1967. Living turtles of the world. T.F.H. Publications, Jersey City NJ.
  • Pritchard, P.C.H. 1979. Encyclopedia of turtles. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune NJ.
  • Rogner, M. 1996. Schildkröten 2. Heidi-Rogner-Verlag, Hürtgenwald.
  • Rose, W. 1950. The reptiles and amphibians of southern Africa. Maskew Miller, Ltd., Cape Town.
  • Rust, H.T. 1937. Interessante Schildkröten IV Die Gattung Homopus. Wochenschrift für Aquarium und Terrariumkunde 34: 699-700.
  • Schleicher, A. 2000. Ein Leben in Afrika für die Schildkröten; Alfred Schleicher – Windhoek, Namibia. Schildkröte 2 (2): 60-65.
  • Schleicher, A. 2004. Experiences with keeping and breeding the Namibian Cape tortoise Homopus sp. (“Homopus bergeri“), in a Namibian outdoor enclosure. Radiata (English Edition) 13: 3-12.
  • Schleicher, A. 2005. Homopus areolatus, the parrot-beaked tortoise: natural history, captive care, and breeding. Reptilia (English Edition) 43: 26-30.
  • Schleicher, A. 2012. Erfahrungen bei der Haltung und Fortpflanzung der Areolen-Flachschildkröte (Homopus areolatus) unter unterschiedlichen Bedingungen in Namibia und in der Schweiz. Marginata 35: 46-54.
  • Schleicher, E.A.M. 2022. Chersobius solus Branch, 2007, Nama dwarf tortoise, two-egg clutching. African Herp News 79: 32-34.
  • Schmidt, F. and Engelbrecht, K. 2006. Homopus signatus. Maximum male size. Herpetological Review 37: 216.
  • Siebenrock, K.F. 1909. Homopus bergeri Ldh., eine Testudo-Art aus der Geometrica-Gruppe. Zoologischer Anzeiger 34: 623-625.
  • Swingland, I.R., Klemens, M.W., IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, The Durell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (1989). The Conservation Biology of Tortoises; Occasional Papers of the IUCN Species Survival Commission no. 5. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.
  • Van Wyk, J.C.P. and Bates, M.F. 1999. Homopus boulengeri Duerden, 1906, Karroo padloper. African Herp News 29: 42-43.
  • Vetter, H. 2002. Terralog Turtles of the World. Vol. 1./Schilkröten der Welt. Band 1. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt.
  • Windolf, R. 1984. Schildkröten stellen sich vor: No.21: Die Gattung Homopus (Flachschildkröten). Die Schildkröte 6: 52-60.


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