Pelusios cupulatta (Ivory Coast mud turtle)

Conservation Status:
Genus:

Home > Turtle Database > Pelusios cupulatta (Ivory Coast mud turtle)

Credit: https://guatemala.inaturalist.org/taxa/40137-Pelusios-cupulatta

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.

Native To These Regions

Ivory Coast

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Scientific Classification

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

Common Names

Ivory Coast mud turtle
West African black mud turtle

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Identification

Description
This turtle has a dark brown to black carapace, often smooth and oval-shaped. The plastron is large and hinged, helping it close tightly when threatened. Adults can grow up to 30 cm in shell length, making it the biggest Pelusios species.

Sexual Dimorphism
Females are generally larger than males. Males usually have longer tails and slightly concave plastrons.

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
Found mainly in Ivory Coast and parts of southern Guinea. Its range is very limited and fragmented.

Preferred Habitat

It lives in slow-moving freshwater systems like swamps, marshes, forested rivers, and ponds. It prefers areas with soft bottoms and lots of cover.

Behavior

Feeding Habits
Pelusios cupulatta is an opportunistic feeder. It eats insects, worms, fish, snails, and sometimes plants or carrion.

Predators
Natural predators include large birds, crocodiles, and humans. Eggs and hatchlings are especially vulnerable.

Reproduction

Breeding Season
Breeding typically occurs during the rainy season.

Reproductive Method
It is oviparous. Females lay several eggs in shallow nests near water. Hatchlings emerge after a few months.

Conservation

Extinction Status
Not Evaluated

Threats
Habitat destruction, especially from agriculture and deforestation, is the biggest threat. Overcollection for the pet trade and local consumption also pose dangers.

Conservation Measures
Some protected areas cover parts of its range. More research, habitat protection, and law enforcement are needed to prevent extinction.

Economic Importance

It may be locally traded for food or traditional medicine. Occasionally appears in the exotic pet trade due to its size and rarity.

Interesting Facts

It’s the largest species in the Pelusios genus.
It can completely close its shell using a hinged plastron, giving it extra protection.
It’s rarely seen in the wild due to its secretive nature.

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.