Helmeted Turtle

Pelomedusa subrufa

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The African helmeted turtle is a species of turtle of the family Pelomedusidae. It is distributed across southern and central Africa. It used to be considered the only species of the genus Pelomedusa, but in 2014 a study split this species into ten. The differences from the other Pelomedusa species are mainly genetic.

Weight

500 g – 2.5 kg

Size

20 cm – 32 cm

Lifespan

30 years

Diet

Carnivore

Feeds mainly on other animals.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

Solitary

Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

SavannaFreshwaterCarnivore Diurnal Solitary Reptile Savanna Freshwater

13countries 39parks

Fun facts

It cleans rhinoceroses: in South Africa several turtles have been documented picking ticks off the skin of rhinos bathing in waterholes, while the rhinos stayed still and let them, an association between a reptile and a large mammal that is almost without precedent.
It aestivates buried in the mud when its pool dries up and can stay like that for more than half a year waiting for the rains.
It is the most widespread aquatic turtle in Africa, found from Senegal to South Africa and also in Arabia, and its taxonomy has recently been split into several species.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton with a shell (reptile)
Habitat & environment: Temporary pools, waterholes, seasonal rivers and wetlands of sub-Saharan Africa
Size at birth: About 3 cm of carapace on hatching
Sexual maturity: 5 years
Gestation / incubation: 90 days of incubation
Litter / clutch size: 15 eggs

Sources consulted: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_helmeted_turtle