Something is going on - slowly at the Zoo Hoyerswerda!
The breeding of African spurred tortoises brought the zoo finally again offspring. Until now 20 young came into the world and crawl now slowly through life.
They are on the 'Red List' as threatened and are considered endangered species. The Zoo Hoyerswerda is right now the only animal garden facility in Germany were African spurred tortoises have reproduced.
That's the reason that we are so happy to have a whole heap of hard-shelled animals traipsing through Hoyerswerda.
What is a African spurred tortoise?
Typically for them is a flattened shell of yellow-brown colour. The young are decidedly lighter in colour. The African spurred tortoise belongs to mainland giant tortoises. The shell length is 70 - 83 cm and weighs 75 - 100 kg. They are natives of the arid regions of (Sahel zone) central Africa south of the Sahara. Here they lived in the dry savannas and even in the semi-deserts of middle Africa, which only have green vegetation during the rainy season. They are able to survive a long time without water in these dry desert regions. They burrow deep into the ground and outlast so the long drought of the Sahel zone. In addition a thick nearly impermeable skin protects the tortoise from dehydration.
How is the animal being bred?
The female African spurred tortoises have been laying eggs regularly since March last year at the Zoo Hoyerswerda. They excavate two to three times a year a nest for the eggs and lay on average 10 - 20 eggs from December to April. The zoo keeper then puts the eggs into an incubator. The eggs are being artificially incubated for 90 to 120 days at a temperature of 28 °C to 31 °C and a humidity of 65 to 70 %.
The first breed was on the 22nd of July 2007. The next nest was laid on the 18th of December 2007; the first tortoise of those hatched on the 20th of March. Further 18 young followed. 21 from this nest are still in the incubator and end of April we are expecting more tortoises.
Where can I see African spurred tortoises?
The Zoo Hoyerswerda is situated in the middle of the city centre adjacent to the palace. It houses on an area of 6 ha more than 1100 animals in 190 species. The wonderful former palace park with its grand tree population, the large water bird lake and the newly created moat offers a terrific background ... the Zoo Hoyerswerda - always an experience!
Zoo Hoyerswerda
Am Haag 20
02977 Hoyerswerda
Tel. 03571 456450
Fax: 03571 456455
http://www.hoyerswerda-zoo.de/
Opening Times:
9am – 6pm
Deutschland
