African softshell turtle
Encyclopedia
The African softshell turtle (Trionyx triunguis) or Nile softshell turtle is a large species of turtle
from fresh water and brackish habitats in Africa
(larger parts of East
, West
and Middle Africa) and the Near East
(Israel
, Lebanon
, Syria
and Turkey
). It is the only species from the genus
Trionyx, but in the past many other softshell turtles were placed in this genus. They have now been moved to various other genera. Despite the name African softshell turtle, it is not the only species of softshell turtle in Africa (Cyclanorbis
and Cycloderma
are also African).
Turtle
Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines , characterised by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs that acts as a shield...
from fresh water and brackish habitats in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
(larger parts of East
East Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
, West
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
and Middle Africa) and the Near East
Near East
The Near East is a geographical term that covers different countries for geographers, archeologists, and historians, on the one hand, and for political scientists, economists, and journalists, on the other...
(Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
, Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
and Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
). It is the only species from the genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Trionyx, but in the past many other softshell turtles were placed in this genus. They have now been moved to various other genera. Despite the name African softshell turtle, it is not the only species of softshell turtle in Africa (Cyclanorbis
Cyclanorbis
Cyclanorbis is a genus of softshell turtle in the Trionychidae family.It contains the following species:* Nubian flapshell turtle * Senegal flapshell turtle...
and Cycloderma
Cycloderma
Cycloderma is a genus of softshell turtle in the Trionychidae family.It contains the following two species:* Aubry's flapshell turtle - Cycloderma aubryi * Zambezi flapshell turtle - Cycloderma frenatum...
are also African).