| Okavango mud turtle | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Testudines |
| Suborder: | Pleurodira |
| Family: | Pelomedusidae |
| Genus: | Pelusios |
| Species: | P. bechuanicus |
| Binomial name | |
| Pelusios bechuanicus | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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TheOkavango mud turtle orOkavango terrapin[3]) (Pelusios bechuanicus) is a species ofturtle in the familyPelomedusidaeendemic to Africa. It is found inAngola,Botswana, theDemocratic Republic of the Congo,Namibia (Caprivi),Zambia, andZimbabwe.[1]
Found in centralAfrica, centralAngola, northeasternNamibia, northernBotswana,Zimbabwe, andZambia[4]
The Okavango mud turtle is the largest species of the genusPelusios. Thecarapace 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.[4] The carapace is very dark, often almost black, and lightens up to yellow or orange only at the sides. The plastron 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.[4]
The turtle is observed most often in clear, deep, calm waters, in rivers, and in vegetation-choked swamps.[4] It is asemi-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.[4] The breeding season occurs during the southern summer and nests are quite large, between 20 and 50eggs.[4] The turtle is most frequent prey to theshoe-billed stork and it is characteristically acarnivore, feeding on fish and invertebrates.[4]
