East African Black Mud Turtle
Encyclopedia
The East African black mud turtle (Pelusios subniger) is a species of turtle
in the Pelomedusidae
family, traditionally found in eastern and southeastern Africa, including Madagascar
. Nonindigenous populations exist on Mauritius Island, Glorieues Îsles and Diego Garcia
. This species is commonly confused with Pelusios castaneus.
. The head of an adult is generally uniform in color, never vermiculated. Like all sidenecked turtles, the neck retracts sideways.
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...
in the Pelomedusidae
Pelomedusidae
Pelomedusidae is a family of freshwater turtles, native to eastern and southern Africa. They range in size from to in shell length, and are generally roundish in shape...
family, traditionally found in eastern and southeastern Africa, including Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
. Nonindigenous populations exist on Mauritius Island, Glorieues Îsles and Diego Garcia
Diego Garcia
Diego Garcia is a tropical, footprint-shaped coral atoll located south of the equator in the central Indian Ocean at 7 degrees, 26 minutes south latitude. It is part of the British Indian Ocean Territory [BIOT] and is positioned at 72°23' east longitude....
. This species is commonly confused with Pelusios castaneus.
Description
The East African black mud turtle has a smooth domed carapace with a length of 5.1-7.9 inches. The carapace is typically dark brown, gray or black, often with yellow markings on the margins. The plastron is hinged, and can be brown, grey, black or yellow. The upper jaw has a blunt unnotched, non-bucuspid tomiumTomium
The tomium is the sharp cutting edge of the beak of a bird or turtle. Sometimes the edge is serrated for tearing through flesh or seaweed . Snapping turtle tomia can be dangerous because their bites are swift and powerful....
. The head of an adult is generally uniform in color, never vermiculated. Like all sidenecked turtles, the neck retracts sideways.
In Captivity
Prior to 2007, Pelusios subniger was thought to be common in captivity. Most captive individuals, including those residing in zoos and hobbyist collections, have since been identified as Pelusios castaneus. The number of Pelusios subniger individuals in captivity remains low.Sources
- Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group 1996. Pelusios subniger. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 29 July 2007.