Serrated Hinged Terrapin
Name
Serrated Hinged Terrapin [Pelusios sinuatus]
Class
Reptilia
Order
Tsetudines
Family
Pelomedusidae
Length_F
300 - 400 mm
Length_M
300 - 400 mm
Description
he Serrated Hinged Terrapin is the largest hinged terrapin. The carapace and bridge are uniform black in colour. The plastron is yellow-centered, with a sharply defined, black, angular pattern around the edge. The skin of the neck and limbs is pale olive-grey.
Distribution
The Serrated Hinged Terrapin is found in tropical East Africa, along Zambezi River to Victoria Falls, and south to Zululand.
Breeding
The female lays 7 - 25 eggs, up to 500 m from the nearest water, in October - January. In the wild, hatchlings appear in March - April.
Field Notes
The Serrated Hinged Terrapin secretes a very foul smelling odour when threatened.
