Pan Hinged Terrapin

Name

Pan Hinged Terrapin [Pelusios subniger]

Class

Reptilia

Order

Testudines

Family

Pelomedusidae

Subspecies

Two races are recognized, [P.s. subniger] is replaced on Indian Ocean Islands by [P.s. parietalis]

Length_F

130 - 180 mm; max. 200 mm

Length_M

130 - 180 mm

Description

A small hinged terrapin with a rounded, smooth shell and a small plastral hinge; no axillary. The head is large, with a blunt snout and smooth beak; there are usually 2 tentacles under the chin. The carapace is uniform brown, and brown-grey when dry.

Distribution

Madagascar and Eastern Africa, into Zimbabwe and Northern Botswana, reaching Upper Limpopo River, Southern Mozambique and the Kruger National Park. An isolated race occurs on the Seychelles and possibly Mauritius.

Breeding

The females probably nest throughout summer; in captivity, up to eight eggs are laid in February - March. Incubation takes 104 - 107 days and hatchlings measuring 30 mm. TL are found in March - April.

Diet

The diet of the Pan Hinged Terrapin is made up of small fogs and invertebrates, with water grass and small birds also observed in the diet.