East African black mud turtle

Pelusios subniger

The East African black mud turtle can survive extreme dry spells by burrowing into the ground during the dry season.

Red List

Least Concern

Pelomedusid turtles are found in South America and Africa. They have a movable front section of the plastron.

These animals like to hide in the mud of streams and lakes. There, they hunt for snails, worms and insects. When the water dries up, they burrow into the mud and go into summer hibernation until the rainy season.

Taxonomy

Pelomedusid turtles (Pelomedusidae), flap-breasted pelomedusids (Pelusios, 17 species)

Habitat

Staying in shallow waters with a soft seabed

Behaviour and ecology

nocturnal, sometimes sunbathing during the day

Diet

Insects, worms, snails, small fish, amphibians, aquatic plants