Pelusios chapini (Central African Mud Turtle)
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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.
Native To These Regions
Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, UgandaNative Turtle Species Map – Find Turtles by Region
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Family: Pelomedusidae
Genus: Pelusios
Species: Pelusios chapini
Common Names
Central African Mud Turtle
Chapin’s Mud Turtle
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Identification
Description
Pelusios chapini has a domed carapace that is olive to dark brown in color. The plastron is hinged, allowing the turtle to close its shell tightly. The skin is usually grayish-brown with lighter patches.
Sexual Dimorphism
Males tend to have longer tails and slightly concave plastrons, while females have shorter tails and flat plastrons.
Check more turtles from the Pelusios genus
Native Origin and Distribution
Geographical Range
This turtle is found in parts of Central Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, and surrounding regions.
Preferred Habitat
It lives in freshwater bodies such as swamps, marshes, small rivers, and floodplains. It prefers slow or still waters with lots of mud and vegetation.
Behavior
Feeding Habits
It’s an opportunistic feeder. It eats insects, small fish, crustaceans, and plant matter. It forages mostly in the water and is active during dawn and dusk.
Predators
Birds of prey, large fish, and some mammals may prey on it. Humans can also be a threat in areas with habitat loss or hunting.
Reproduction
Breeding Season
Breeding likely occurs during the rainy season when water is abundant.
Reproductive Method
Females lay eggs on land, usually in soft soil near water. Not much is documented, but like other Pelusios species, clutch size is likely small.
Conservation
Extinction Status
Currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.
Threats
Habitat destruction, water pollution, and possibly local hunting or trade are its main threats.
Conservation Measures
Protected under local conservation laws in some areas. It benefits from wetland preservation and habitat protection efforts.
Economic Importance
It has little commercial value but may be caught locally for food or small-scale trade. It plays a role in the ecosystem by controlling insect populations and recycling nutrients.
Interesting Facts
The hinged plastron works like a trapdoor, helping it protect itself from predators.
It is named after James P. Chapin, an American ornithologist who worked in Central Africa.
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.
