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.