Kinixys

(hinged-back tortoises), a genus of land tortoises (family Testudinidae). The shell measures as much as 25–30 cm in length. The upper shell, or carapace, is domelike and bordered with hinged portions that are sometimes extremely jagged. The rear third of the carapace is mobile and completely covers the posterior portion of the body, being drawn down against the lower shell, or plastron.

The genus embraces three species, which are distributed in tropical Africa and on Madagascar. The tortoises inhabit rain forests as well as shrub thickets. They are terrestrial but at times enter water. They feed on fallen fruits and the like.