Homopus solus

Nama Padloper
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Family: Testudinidae
Genus: Homopus
Species: H. solus
Binomial name
Homopus solus
Branch, 2007
Synonyms
  • Homopus solus Branch, 2007
  • Homopus bergeri Lindholm, 1906
  • Homopus boulengeri Mertens, 1955

The Nama padloper (Homopus solus), previously known as Berger's cape tortoise, is a species of tortoise in the Homopus ("padloper") genus.[1][2][3][4][5] It is endemic to Namibia.[1]

The species is threatened by traffic on roads, habitat destruction and poaching for the pet trade. As the trade in collected Homopus species is strictly illegal and any captive specimens are systematically registered in non-commercial studbooks in South Africa and Namibia, any commercial sale of Homopus tortoises is almost without exception strictly illegal. Another threat comes from introduced species, such as domestic dogs and pigs.

The species does not generally survive well in captivity unless some effort is made to supply specimens with their natural food, that is, endemic plants from the Cape/Karoo regions.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 Branch, W.R. (1996). Homopus solus. 2012 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 30 June 2013.
  2. ↑ IUCN Appendix 1. Regional Species Lists
  3. ↑ Homopus solus, Namibia Biodiversity Database, retrieved 30 June 2013.
  4. ↑ Homopus Research Foundation website, retrieved 1 July 2013.
  5. ↑ Homopus solus, The Reptile Database
  6. ↑ Corton, M., Homopus (Padloper Tortoise) Care, World Chelonian Trust (retrieved August 20, 2013).


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