Least Concern Reptiles

Pan-hinged Terrapin

Pelusios subniger

Pan-hinged Terrapin is an omnivorous turtle of African freshwater lakes and wetlands.

Scientific name	Pelusios subniger
Conservation status	Least Concern
Class	Reptilia
Order	Testudines
Family	Pelomedusidae
Size	Male: shell length approximately 20-30 cm; Female: shell length approximately 20-30 cm

See this species in the app

How to identify

Carapace is oval-shaped, coloration ranges from brown to chestnut; dorsal shell surface relatively smooth with distinct longitudinal ridges; head large, neck retractable into the shell; forelimbs webbed, adapted for swimming; plastron broad with a distinct hinge structure

Habitat

Freshwater lakes, slow-flowing rivers, swamps, and wetland environments

Diet

Omnivorous, primarily feeding on aquatic invertebrates, small fish, aquatic plants, and detritus

When it is active

Diurnal, mostly active during the day

Where it lives

Mainly distributed in West and Central Africa, including countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon; also found in parts of Southern Africa

How to spot it

Observe near water edges at dawn or dusk, paying attention to shell color changes when stationary and neck extension/retraction movements

Photography tips

Use a telephoto lens to capture moments of swimming or neck stretching while basking, paying attention to light reflections and water surface reflections