African Side-Necked Turtles: Pelomedusidae - Physical Characteristics, Diet, Behavior And Reproduction, Conservation Status, Helmeted Turtle (pelomedusa Subrufa): Species Account - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT, AFRICAN SIDE-NECKED TURTLES AND PEOPLE
African side-necked turtles live in Africa, Madagascar, and the Seychelles Islands, which are northeast of Madagascar.
These turtles often are seen in freshwater lakes and rivers that hold water all year long, but they also are found in temporary freshwater ponds, which lose their water during the dry season. Some side-necked turtles, including those that are called "mud turtles," spend much of their time in soft-bottomed ponds that are filled with water for only a few weeks every year.
African side-neced turtles are unpopular as pets and as food, but people occasionally eat them. One reason for their lack of popularity is their smell. The musk glands are very powerful weapons against predators, including humans. Pet owners who keep African side-necked turtles often find that they are unfriendly and can be aggressive; they will bite at other turtles in the same aquarium and will nip at humans who put their hands too close.
Additional Topics
African side-necked turtles are small- to medium-sized turtles that fold their necks sideways under their shells, rather than pulling them straight back into the shell, along with their heads. They have five claws on each hind foot. The upper shell, or carapace (KARE-a-pays), of adults usually is less than 1 foot (30.5 centimeters) long, but the length of shells can range from about 4 to 21.6 inch…
African side-necked turtles are mainly meat eaters, although a few will eat plants. The main items in their diet are worms; clams and other mollusks, or soft-bodied animals covered by shells; shrimp and other crustaceans (krus-TAY-shuns), or animals with a soft, segmented body covered by shells; insects; fish; frogs and other amphibians (am-FIB-ee-uns), or animals that spend part of their lives in…
Although these side-necked turtles can be quite noticeable in their habitat, scientists know very little about their behavior. The turtles bask, spending warm days sunning themselves near the shoreline. They are especially active during the wet season, when they may roam over land. When the weather turns dry, many side-necked turtles seek shelter underground. Those that live in the cool, mild clim…
In 2003 the World Conservation Union (IUCN) listed one species, the Seychelles mud turtle, as Extinct; none of these turtles is still alive. In addition, it listed the Magdalena river turtle and the Madagascar big-headed turtle as Endangered, meaning that it faces a very high threat of extinction in the wild. Five species are Vulnerable, which means that there is a high threat of their extinction,…
Physical characteristics: Adult helmeted turtles have upper shells that reach 13 inches (33 centimeters) in length. The brown to greenish-brown upper shell is fairly flat. The lower shell is usually yellow or cream-colored, sometimes with dark seams or large, dark smudges. The lower neck is also yellow or cream-colored. These turtles have a rather pointed face with a mouth that looks as if it is s…
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User Comments Add a comment…
about 1 month ago
Chandlar Williams
I TOTALLY DISAGREE AFRICAN-SIDENECK TURTLES ARE NOT AGGRESIVE NOR UNFRIENDLY NOR DO THEY SMELL BAD.TO BE HONEST WITH YOU THESE ARE THE MOST FRIENDLIEST,CALMEST,AND LAIDBACK TURTLES EVER! SO I ADVISE U TO GET SOME OF UR INFORMATION RIGHT BEFORE YOU TRY TO POST IT ON THE WEB OK THANKYOU VERY MUCH):
about 1 month ago
russ » coffin187 ((at)) yahoo dot com
i agree they are not agressive at all, i have had turles most of my lyf and have accually never came across any that are more tame, mine even plays with the cat occasionally, i have a north american slider, a aligator snapper, and a side necked,and the least agressive of them is the side necked, but they all live in somewhat harmony with the snapper as the dominant. so look up more reserch these turtles make excelent pets and they dont smell either.
3 months ago
Flyersfan345
Not True. African Side necked turtles are not aggressive or unfriendly. They love people and they are good pets.