Home > Turtle & Tortoise Database > Genus: Pelusios
Pelusios williamsi, or Williams’ Mud Turtle, is a small to medium-sized freshwater turtle found in parts of East Africa. It’s known for its domed shell and hinged plastron that helps it protect itself from threats. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies: Pelusios williamsi Common Names Williams’ Mud TurtleWilliams’ African Mud Turtle Identification…
Pelusios upembae, known as the Upemba Mud Turtle, is a rare freshwater turtle found only in a small region of Africa. It belongs to the family Pelomedusidae and is not well-studied due to its limited range and low population data. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies: P. upembae Common Names Upemba Mud…
Pelusios subniger, known as the East African black mud turtle, is a freshwater turtle commonly found in parts of eastern and southern Africa. It’s known for its dark shell and ability to live in a range of aquatic habitats, including seasonal water bodies. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies: P. subniger Common…
The Pelusios sinuatus, also called the serrated hinged terrapin, is a freshwater turtle found mostly in southern Africa. It gets its name from the serrated edge at the back of its shell and its special hinged plastron that helps it close its shell tightly for protection. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies:…
Pelusios rhodesianus, also known as the variable mud turtle, is a small freshwater turtle known for its highly adaptable nature and wide range of shell patterns. It belongs to the family Pelomedusidae and is native to parts of southern and central Africa. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies: Pelusios rhodesianus Common Names…
The Pelusios niger, or West African Black Mud Turtle, is a freshwater turtle known for its dark, almost black shell and secretive nature. It’s one of the lesser-known members of the African mud turtle group but stands out due to its color and adaptability. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies: Pelusios niger…
The African Dwarf Mud Turtle is one of the smallest turtle species in the world. It stays tiny even as an adult, making it a favorite among turtle keepers who want a small, low-maintenance pet. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies: Pelusios nanus Common Names African Dwarf Mud TurtleDwarf Sidelneck Turtle Identification…
Pelusios marani, also known as the Gabon mud turtle, is a lesser-known freshwater turtle species found in parts of Central Africa. It belongs to a group of turtles that spend much of their time in shallow, muddy waters. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies: Pelusios marani Common Names Gabon mud turtleMaran’s mud…
Pelusios gabonensis is a semi-aquatic turtle found mostly in the tropical forests and swamps of central and western Africa. It is known for its hinged plastron, allowing it to close its shell tightly when threatened. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies: Pelusios gabonensis Common Names African Forest TurtleGabon Mud Turtle Identification DescriptionThis…
Pelusios cupulatta is a freshwater turtle species native to West Africa. It’s one of the largest in its genus and is known for its dark, dome-shaped shell and secretive lifestyle. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies: Pelusios cupulatta Common Names Ivory Coast mud turtleWest African black mud turtle Identification DescriptionThis turtle has…
Pelusios chapini, also known as the Central African Mud Turtle, is a freshwater turtle found mainly in Central Africa. It’s a shy, semi-aquatic species that prefers slow-moving or still waters and is often overlooked due to its quiet lifestyle. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies: Pelusios chapini Common Names Central African Mud…
Pelusios castanoides, known as the yellowbelly mud turtle, is a small freshwater turtle native to parts of Africa. Its name comes from its distinct yellow plastron, which contrasts with its darker carapace. These turtles are shy, semi-aquatic, and spend much of their time hidden in muddy waters. Scientific Classification Common Names Identification DescriptionThis turtle has…
The West African mud turtle, Pelusios castaneus, is a hardy freshwater species known for its adaptability and wide range. It’s a common turtle in parts of West Africa and is often seen in local water bodies, from ponds to slow-moving rivers. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies: Pelusios castaneus Common Names Identification…
Pelusios carinatus is a small freshwater turtle native to Central Africa. It’s known for the raised keel running down its shell, giving it a rugged look. Despite being less popular in the pet trade, it plays a key role in its local ecosystem. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies: Pelusios carinatus Common…
Pelusios broadleyi, also known as the Turkana mud turtle, is a freshwater turtle native to East Africa. It lives mostly around Lake Turkana and is adapted to warm, muddy environments. This species is not well-known and has only been found in limited locations. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies: Pelusios broadleyi Common…
Pelusios bechuanicus, also known as the Okavango mud turtle, is a freshwater species found mostly in southern Africa. It’s part of the Pelomedusidae family and is known for its adaptability to shallow, seasonal waters. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies: Pelusios bechuanicus Common Names Okavango mud turtleBechuanaland mud turtle Identification DescriptionThis turtle…
Pelusios adansonii, or Adanson’s Mud Turtle, is a small freshwater turtle mostly found in parts of West and Central Africa. Known for its shy nature and flexible shell, this species thrives in slow-moving waters. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PelomedusidaeGenus: PelusiosSpecies: Pelusios adansonii Common Names Adanson’s Mud TurtleWest African Mud Turtle Identification DescriptionThis…
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