Threat: harmless

Venom/Toxin: none

Description: They are tiny turtles. Some hatch out with black and brown skin, and others hatch out with yellow skin. Adult African mud turtles usually have yellow skin with black speckling on the sides of the head. They have little sharp claws and a dark brown or black carapace (shell) and sometimes light brown or white skin.

Tags: turtle

Length: less than 10.15 cm

Lifespan: more than 50 yrs in captivity

They're prefer shallow waters and minimal sun basking.

The African mud turtle are omnivorous. They eat fish, meat, worms, insects etc

They are solitary animals and only come together to mate. Mating season typically occurs from November to January. Females lay a clutch of 2-5 eggs in a hole in the ground or under a rock. The eggs hatch after about 60 days. African dwarf mud turtles are sexually mature at around 3 years of age.

Trend: uncomfirmed

The African mud turtle is endemic to a few African countries namely, Zambia, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Malawi. They live along the Zambezi river and they also prefer slow moving rivers, calm waters, ponds and flooded savannas

Currently, it is mainly threatened by widespread collection from the wild for the illegal international trade in the species. It is also collected by local peoples for food and human population growth in the area is putting pressure on the species. Human-induced fire is also a threat. In most Zambian cultures, turtles and tortoises are revered and respected by people. It is said that one should never kill a turtle or tortoise without reason. If you are to come across one stuck upside down along your path, it is said to be good luck to help it and turn it over to let it goon its way and that doing the opposite or leaving it stuck is very bad luck and karma.