Vital Statistics
- Latin Name
- Pelusios Subniger
- Length_F
- 130 - 180 mm; max. 200 mm
- Length_M
- 130 - 180 mm
- Order
- Testudines
- Family
- Pelomedusidae
- 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.
- Class
- Reptilia
- Subspecies
- Two races are recognized, P.s. subniger is replaced on Indian Ocean Islands by P.s. parietalis.
- 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
- Small fogs and invertebrates.
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