The newest baby born at the Apex Predators Python Park is not much bigger than a R2 coin yet it requires a steady stream of snacks including spinach, grated carrot and diced up succulent leaves.
A tiny but perfectly formed parrot-beak tortoise emerged from his egg two weeks ago and is charming visitors to both the snake park’s Facebook page as well as the park itself.
Although it is kept in its own glass cage, the miniscule creature has a Vietnamese gecko, a Jesus Christ lizard which runs on water and an usambara eyelash viper as roommates.
Snake park owner Deon Nell said the diminutive reptile, which is endemic to South Africa and is found predominantly near Grahamstown, is the smallest tortoise he has bred.
“Not many people keep this tortoise because permits are required. I acquired one after someone brought it in after finding it on a road and then, a year later, another one came in and they mated. The female laid two eggs but only one was fertilised,” Nell said.
He explained, however, that should people find tortoises crossing the road, they should let them go on their way after they have crossed it safely.
“Once tortoises have been held in captivity they may not be returned to the wild because they could carry pathogens and other diseases so you should just leave it after it has crossed the road. They don’t actually make good pets and, like bees, they are necessary in the veld because they cross-fertilise plants. They pick up pollen on their front legs and also spread seed with their poo.”
Although parrot-beaks are one of the smallest tortoise species and grow to only about 10cm in length, Nell was nevertheless astounded when the incubated egg hatched to reveal such a miniscule creature.
“I was elated – it is the smallest tortoise I have ever seen born.”
News of the little creature is spreading and Nell said his photograph of it has had 1684 views on the Apex Predators Snake Park Facebook page in the last five days.
The tiny reptile has not been named yet, but Nell is running a Facebook competition to find the best moniker for the smallest resident of the snake park. Suggestions so far include Monty, Shelly and Ninja. — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
Tiny attraction charms visitors
A tiny but perfectly formed parrot-beak tortoise emerged from his egg two weeks ago and is charming visitors to both the snake park’s Facebook page as well as the park itself.
Although it is kept in its own glass cage, the miniscule creature has a Vietnamese gecko, a Jesus Christ lizard which runs on water and an usambara eyelash viper as roommates.
Snake park owner Deon Nell said the diminutive reptile, which is endemic to South Africa and is found predominantly near Grahamstown, is the smallest tortoise he has bred.
“Not many people keep this tortoise because permits are required. I acquired one after someone brought it in after finding it on a road and then, a year later, another one came in and they mated. The female laid two eggs but only one was fertilised,” Nell said.
He explained, however, that should people find tortoises crossing the road, they should let them go on their way after they have crossed it safely.
“Once tortoises have been held in captivity they may not be returned to the wild because they could carry pathogens and other diseases so you should just leave it after it has crossed the road. They don’t actually make good pets and, like bees, they are necessary in the veld because they cross-fertilise plants. They pick up pollen on their front legs and also spread seed with their poo.”
Although parrot-beaks are one of the smallest tortoise species and grow to only about 10cm in length, Nell was nevertheless astounded when the incubated egg hatched to reveal such a miniscule creature.
“I was elated – it is the smallest tortoise I have ever seen born.”
News of the little creature is spreading and Nell said his photograph of it has had 1684 views on the Apex Predators Snake Park Facebook page in the last five days.
The tiny reptile has not been named yet, but Nell is running a Facebook competition to find the best moniker for the smallest resident of the snake park. Suggestions so far include Monty, Shelly and Ninja. — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
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