habitat_narrative
Terrestrial
Chersina angulata occurs from the coastal plains all along the escarpment to altitudes of 1,200 m on the plateau. Its habitat in fynbos consists of open to dense fire-prone shrubland covered with ericoid and asteraceous shrubs, restios, and grasses. In the east, the range extends into Albany Thicket, which comprises dense semi-succulent and thorny vegetation, including large and small shrubs, geophytes, annuals, and grasses (Hoare et al. 2006). The species does not occur in dense thickets, but high population densities can occur in partially cleared areas (Branch 1989). A large portion of the habitat falls in the Succulent Karoo, which is dominated by dwarf succulent shrubs, with annuals, grasses, and geophytes. It is also found in the dwarf open shrubland of the Nama-Karoo. These tortoises prefer a sandy substratum in which they partially bury themselves when taking refuge under vegetation. Nevertheless, they also occur in rocky areas where they hide under large boulders or among rocks. Chersina angulata is medium-sized (maximum carapace length 35 cm) and distinguishable by its large, undivided gular scute. Its carapace is domed and the dorsal scutes are straw-coloured with dark centres and edges. Males are larger than females, which produce one egg at a time through most of the year (Hofmeyr 2004). Males and females reach sexual maturity at 10-14 years (M.D. Hofmeyr unpubl. data) and can potentially live for 50+ years. The diet is diverse and consists of angiosperms (mostly herbs and grasses), mosses, mushrooms, insects, snail shells, and animal faeces (Branch 1989, Joshua et al. 2010). Although they are food generalists, they select dietary items out of proportion to availability (Joshua et al. 2010). Their metabolic rate plateaus between 26-38°C, which may indicate a thermal preference for summer foraging in the Eastern Cape (Setlalekgomo and Winter 2016a). The species has an endogenous circadian rhythm, suggesting it can, at least partially, thermoregulate physiologically (Setlalekgomo and Winter 2016b).