Serrated hinged terrapin

The serrated hinged terrapin (Pelusios sinuatus) is a species of turtles in the family Pelomedusidae. It is found in tropical East Africa in lakes and rivers. It can often be seen basking on logs, rocks or mud banks, or even on the backs of sleeping hippopotami. It eats water snails, soft-weed, and insects. It is the largest species in the genus Pelusios, with a carapace length of up to 55 cm. Females are larger than males. Males can also be distinguished by their slightly longer tails.

Serrated hinged terrapin
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Suborder: Pleurodira
Family: Pelomedusidae
Genus: Pelusios
Species:
P. sinuatus
Binomial name
Pelusios sinuatus
(Smith, 1838)

For defence, the hinged plastron closes to protect the head and forelimbs, and the terrapin also secretes a foul odour when threatened.[1]

Breeding

The female lays seven to 25 eggs, up to 500 m from the nearest water, in October - January. Hatchlings appear in March - April.

See also
  • Pelomedusa subrufa, a similar species

References
  1. Broadley, Donald; Boycott, Richard (2009), Pelusios sinuatus (Smith 1838) – Serrated Hinged Terrapin, Chelonian Research Foundation, pp. 036.1–036.5, doi:10.3854/crm.5.036.sinuatus.v1.2009, ISBN 978-0-9653540-9-7


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