Threat: harmless

Venom/Toxin: none

Description: The Okavango mud turtle is a large turtle. The carapace (shell) is oval and elongated, with a pronounced dome, and is evenly rounded at the edges which allows the turtle to appear as a smooth rock. The carapace is very dark, often almost black, and lightens up to yellow or orange only at the sides. The plastron (underside-shell) is well developed and can close the shell completely, with a rounded front lobe that comes together to form the hinge that is characteristic of the genus. These animals have massive heads with bright yellow coloring. They have radiating yellow lines on there shell.

Tags: turtle

Length: 25.5 - 36 cm

The okavango mud turtle is a semi-aquatic animal that remains in the water most of the year. It is observed outside of the water habitat only when seeking temporary aquatic refuge during the dry season.

The okavango mud turtle is a carnivore, feeding mostly on fish and invertebrates.

The breeding season occurs during the southern summer and nests are quite large, between 20 and 50 eggs.

Trend: decreasing

The turtle is observed most often in clear, deep, calm waters, in rivers, and in vegetation-choked swamps. Found in central Africa, central Angola, northeastern Namibia, northern Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.

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.