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Bio Facts: East African Mud Turtle
Common Name: East African Mud Turtle East African Mud Turtle
Scientific Name: Pelusios subniger (Original scientific name was Testudo subniger)
Family: Pelomedusidae
Order: Chelonia
Suborder: Pleurodira
Class: Reptilia
Range: Eastern and Southeastern Africa and Madagascar
Habitat: Semi-aquatic turtles found in marshes, swamps and slow-moving rivers with muddy, soft-bottoms.
Description: A strong hinge on the plastron is a distinguishing feature of the genus Pelusios. African mud turtles have carapaces that range in shape from oval to almost round; the carapace itself is not strongly domed. Most species of Pelusios are not strongly colored; the carapace usually is some shade of brown or black, while the plastron ranges from yellow to black. The skin color ranges from gray through brown to yellow. While most species are relatively undistinguishable, some do possess some attractive patterning. Adults reach a maximum length of 8 inches.
Life Expectancy: n/a
Sexual Maturity: n/a
Diet: In the wild, they feed on insects, worms, snails, small fish, amphibians and crabs. When young, they also eat aquatic plants like water grasses. In the Zoo, they are fed assorted fruits and vegetables and turtle chow, a scientifically, commercially prepared food for turtles.
Status: Not listed
Behaviors: The East African mud turtle is a side-necked turtle inhabiting eastern and southern Africa and some of its off shore islands. Although they are strong swimmers, they are typically found in shallow waters of soft-bottomed bodies of water.

Eggs are buried in February and March and hatch in June or July. At hatching, young are only 1.17 inches (30 mm) long. Incubation takes 58 days at 28-30 degrees C.

Adaptations: East African mud turtles have been known to aestivate in underground burrows when the temperatures become too warm or too cold or conditions become too dry. When conditions return to a suitable level, these turtles re-emerge and become active once again.
Special Interest: The genus name, Pelusios, comes from a Greek word that means earth or mud. As this name implies, the African mud turtle inhabits shallow waters with soft, muddy bottoms.

Scientists classify some turtles and tortoises by the way they pull their heads inside their shells. One group, Cryptodira (hidden-necked), pulls their heads straight back inside the shell. The other group, Pleurodira (side-necked), folds their heads in sideways.
Folklore: Again representing the feminine to the serpent's masculine power, the tortoise is one of the oldest animals of West African mythology. It originated ju-ju and appears in fertility rites. Tortoise also takes on the trickster role but is always outwitted.
Conservation: Status of Pelusios species is a much-debated subject. African mud turtles, because of their hardiness, relative abundance, and fairly abundant range, have been reaching North American markets in increasing numbers. However, very few, if any, entering the “pet trade” have accompanying documentation that can help the purchaser know the species that is being purchased. As most African mud turtles (12 or more species of Pelusios) are difficult to tell apart, it can be quite difficult to find suitable mates in anything but a zoo or other institution that has acquired documented populations of specific species.
Jacksonville Zoo History: n/a
Revised: June 2003