Pelusios castaneus (West African Mud Turtle)

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: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Family: Pelomedusidae
Genus: Pelusios
Species: Pelusios castaneus

Common Names

• West African Mud Turtle
• African Mud Turtle
• Brown Mud Turtle

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Identification

Description
This turtle has a domed, oval-shaped carapace that ranges from dark brown to chestnut. The plastron is hinged, allowing it to close tightly when threatened. The skin is usually grayish to brown with a slight yellow tint on the limbs and neck.

Sexual Dimorphism
Males typically have longer and thicker tails, while females have broader shells. Females are usually slightly larger overall.

Check more turtles from the Pelusios genus

Pelusios williamsi (Williams’ Mud Turtle)

Pelusios upembae (Upemba Mud Turtle)

Pelusios subniger (East African black mud turtle)

Native Origin and Distribution

Geographical Range
They are found in many parts of West Africa, including Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Ivory Coast.

Preferred Habitat

They prefer freshwater habitats like swamps, ponds, slow rivers, and marshes. They are also known to survive in seasonal pools and can bury themselves in mud during dry periods.

Behavior

Feeding Habits
They are omnivores. Their diet includes insects, worms, small fish, aquatic plants, and fruit. In captivity, they accept commercial turtle food and protein-rich snacks.

Predators
Their main predators include birds of prey, large fish, crocodiles, and humans in some regions. Hatchlings are also preyed on by snakes and mammals.

Reproduction

Breeding Season
Mating typically occurs during the rainy season when water levels rise.

Reproductive Method
They are oviparous. Females lay clutches of 2–9 eggs in shallow nests near water. The incubation period lasts 2–4 months depending on temperature.

Conservation

Extinction Status
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)

Threats
Habitat destruction, pollution, overcollection for the pet trade, and local consumption for food pose risks to wild populations.

Conservation Measures
Protected in several national parks. Captive breeding is common and reduces pressure on wild populations.

Economic Importance

They are sold in the pet trade and sometimes used as food in local communities. They also help control insect and pest populations in their habitat.

Interesting Facts

They are popular in the pet trade due to their hardiness and ease of care.

Unlike most turtles, they have a hinged plastron that acts like a trapdoor.

They can survive droughts by burying in mud and entering a dormant state.

About Author

Muntaseer Rahman started keeping pet turtles back in 2013. He also owns the largest Turtle & Tortoise Facebook community in Bangladesh. These days he is mostly active on Facebook.