West African Mud Turtle

Pelusios castaneus

The West African Mud Turtle is a small turtle that loves to live in muddy waters. It has a soft shell and can hide in the mud to stay safe from predators.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The West African Mud Turtle has a smooth, somewhat flattened shell ranging from olive to dark brown or black. Its head is dark, sometimes with lighter spots or markings, and it possesses small, sensory barbels on its chin, which are uncommon among turtles.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassTestudinesFamilyPelomedusidaeGenusPelusios

West African Mud Turtle

Interesting facts

Baby mud turtles are smaller than a golf ball when they hatch!

It can stay buried in mud for many months during long droughts.

Some West African villagers believe seeing this turtle brings good luck!

Unlike many turtles, it can walk quite far on land to find new ponds.

Special abilities

This turtle has a hinged plastron that can close tightly against its carapace, creating a strong protective box from predators.

Its streamlined shell and dark colors help the West African Mud Turtle blend into murky waters, ambushing unsuspecting prey.

Measurements & details

Length: 15-25 cm
Weight: 0.5-1 kg
Lifespan: 15-30 years
Top Speed: 0.5 km/h
Swim Speed: 1.5 km/h
Clutch Size: 6-18
Incubation: 60-90 days
Maximum Depth: 3 m

Diet & Feeding

This turtle is an omnivore, munching on insects, small fish, snails, and even some aquatic plants!

Primary Foods

Insects
Fish
Amphibians
Snails
Aquatic plants
Carrion

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

eaten by

Nile Crocodile

Crocodylus niloticus

Large crocodiles prey on turtles in shared habitats.

eats

Nile Tilapia

Oreochromis niloticus

Preys on smaller fish in their aquatic environment.

eats

Mosquito

Anopheles gambiae

Feeds on aquatic insect larvae found in its habitat.

shelters

African White Water Lily

Nymphaea lotus

Uses dense aquatic vegetation for cover and hunting.

Traits

Solitary

Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.

Omnivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.

Camouflaged

Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.