The African sideneck turtle is a long-necked with a dark brown shell. It has olive/brown skin. It has large round eyes, a rounded mouth and black markings on the head. The African sideneck turtle can be found in the rivers and lakes of Angola and Senegal, Liberia and Guinea in West Africa.
They require moderate care. These turtles can be kept in a variety of environments and are a great pet for both experienced owners and novice hobbyists. If they are cared for properly, African sideneck turtles can be kept in captivity.
African Sideneck Turtle Overview
| Common Names (s). | African side-necked turtle and African helmeted turtle |
| Scientific Name | Pelomedusa subrufa |
| Natural Habitat | There are freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds and streams in Angola and Liberia, Guinea and Senegal, Sierra Leone and the Congo. |
| Adult Size | 7-12 inches |
| Average Lifespan | 20 years |
| Diet | Omnivorous |
| Housing | Aquarium tanks |
| Experience level | For Beginners |
Origin
The rivers, lakes and ponds of western Africa are where the African sideneck turtle (Pelomedusa Subrufa) is found. It is native to Angola and Senegal in West Africa. The African sideneck turtle, a semi-aquatic creature, lives in the freshwater of its native habitat.
The turtle prefers standing water bodies that have muddy bottoms and vegetation. Although they are most likely to be affected by seasonal flooding, it can also live in swamps, lakes and ponds.
They can be found in the wild in Madagascar, an Indian Ocean island nation, and Seychelles (a chain of Indian Ocean islands). Yemen is one of the few countries that have small numbers of African sideneck turtles.
Appearance & Behavior
The African sideneck turtle is a long-necked with a dark brown shell and olive skin. The turtle’s head has black markings above its eyes, and the mouth looks as if it is smiling. The plastron (underbelly), of the African sideneck turtle, is grayish brown. It has two barbels protruding from its lower jaw.
They are able to swim underwater thanks to its webbed feet and sharp nails. These sharp claws make it easy to dig, which is essential when searching for food in the mud.
The male African sideneck turtles have a longer, thicker tail with a vent at the end. Females have shorter, thinner tails but a longer shell. Females are more able to reach their front legs with the claws of male African sideneck turtles than they are with females.
Lifespan
The African sideneck turtle’s average size is 7-12 inches (17.78-30.48cm) for females, and 7-10 inches (17.78-25.4cm) for males. The differences in size are due to the longer shells of the females than the males.
They live an average of 20 years. In captivity, the turtle can live up 50 years while in the wild.
Temperament
Although they are calm, African sideneck turtles can be aggressive. Although the turtles are active and curious, they can become aggressive when they feel nervous.
They are able to peacefully coexist with other turtles from the same species. The turtles eat small fish like dwarf cichlids, so make sure they’re not kept together.
Although the turtles can be social, they still exhibit aggressive behavior when being handled by humans. Inexperienced turtle owners should not handle African sideneck turtles. This turtle can be aggressive and can bite or scratch easily if they are held too tightly. These turtles can be shy when first handled by humans, but they will soon become more curious and easy to handle.
Housing African Sideneck Turtles
The wild African sideneck turtle can be found both in water and on dry land. The turtle can adapt to many environments. The turtle is able to survive in freshwater rivers and ponds as well as swamps and lakes. The African sideneck turtle prefers stagnant water as a habitat.
Carers must recreate the natural environment of an African sideneck turtle when keeping it in captivity. A large swimming area and hiding places for the turtle should be provided in the tank. To make the turtle feel at home, add driftwood, rocks, or aquatic plants to the tank.
Enclosure Size
A 75-gallon aquarium is ideal for them. To allow enough swimming space for the turtle, the tank should contain three quarters of water. To ensure that the water level does not drop below half the tank, it is important to regularly check it. A variable water depth is preferred because it allows for easier cleaning and gives turtles different places to swim or bask.
Because the turtle can swim more freely in a rectangular tank, it is better. A narrower, longer tank will restrict the swimming area.
Lighting
African sideneck turtles can be active at night. The turtles can be kept active by using LED fixtures that have day and night settings. This light can be used to mimic natural daylight and is the best-LED lighting available.
Humidity & Temperature
They prefer temperatures between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The basking area can reach 95 to 100 degrees. African sideneck turtles need heat from the outside to survive.
To keep the African sideneck turtle from freezing, place the site of basking under an incandescent or 100-watt infrared lamp. The light should not be too bright to allow the turtle to bask.
It is a great idea to install a heating pad, or heat lamp with a thermostat. They need temperatures that are higher than the ambient air. A hygrometer can be used to monitor humidity level. It should not exceed 50 percent.
When the water temperature rises above 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit, the African sideneck turtle starts skin shedding. In healthy turtles, skin shedding is normal. This could indicate that the turtle is suffering from parasitic or bacterial infection, stress, poor nutrition, or environmental changes.
Substrate and Decoration
The best substrates for the African sideneck turtle are gravel and sand. The turtle can hide and explore in sand and gravel. Thet love digging in the sand and burrowing itself in it. Therefore, the substrate should be thick.
Avoid sharp edges on rocks as they could injure the turtle. Plastic plants, driftwood, rocks, and other materials can be used to provide hiding places for the turtles and a dry place for them to bask. Three-quarters should be filled with water and the remainder should be for dry land.
A great material to decorate a tank is wood. Mopani wood, which is heavy enough to not float but is mold-resistant, is the best wood for tanks. Also, plastic plants, small toys for turtles, driftwood, and decorative toys make great decorations. African sideneck turtles don’t need specific sleeping spots. You can make a shaded spot under rocks or driftwood for them to sleep.
When it’s time for food or fresh air, the turtles will swim up to the top of their tank. A dock can be placed or large rocks could provide a slope that allows the turtle to escape from water.
Cleaning
Tank maintenance includes cleaning the tank of the African sideneck turtle. Before cleaning the tank, remove all substrate including rocks, driftwood, plastic plants. To remove any visible algae or dirt from the tank and substrate, scrub it with a brush. To remove any traces of algae and other dirt, rinse the tank with warm water.
Cleansing the tank helps to kill bacteria and keep it clean. The tank should be cleaned of all organic matter. This will prevent any potential food poisoning and reduce the risk of bacterial infections.
African Sideneck Turtle Care
They need moderate to easy care. The only thing that will keep the African sideneck turtle happy is to maintain its temperature and provide a varied and nutritious diet.
Food and Water
The African sideneck turtle can eat almost any food. The turtle can eat all types of food, even vegetables and pellets. You can provide a variety of food for the turtle, including fresh fruits and vegetables, lettuce and shrimp pellets. Commercial turtle food, commercial turtle food, earthworms and crickets are also acceptable.
Turtles are not well-suited for dairy products like yogurt and milk. Turtles do not have the enzymes necessary to digest dairy products. Turtles should not be fed raw meat or too much protein. They can drink water from the tank or from a small swimming pool. The turtle can be hurt by chemicals such as chlorine or other chemicals found in the pool.
Feed African turtle hatchlings one time per day, a juvenile every other day, and an adult African sideneck turtle once per week. It is important to keep the turtle fed on a regular basis in order to regulate its metabolism. It should take the African sideneck turtle about 15 minutes to finish its meal. After that, you should not give it any food.
Handling
Take care of the African sideneck turtle. Neglecting to care for the turtle can cause stress and make it more vulnerable to illness. The turtle may also become less hungry and dehydrated from stress.
After feeding, the turtle should be handled gently. Slowly and calmly approach the African sideneck turtle. Then gently lift it by the carapace. Never grab the turtle’s tail, neck or limbs.
Stress can be caused by overhandling the turtle, placing it into a tank with rough or sharp decorations, or exposing the turtle too much to the sun. Handling stressed turtles is not a good idea.
Common Health Issues
Poor care can lead to health problems in the African sideneck turtle. These are the most common health issues such as:
- Vitamin A deficiency
- Shell infections
Vitamin A deficiency is caused by a low-quality diet. The turtle’s epidermis and mucus membranes are affected by a lack of vitamin A. Eye swelling, loss of appetite, cloudy eyes, kidney disease, and kidney failure are all possible symptoms.
Vitamin A deficiency is treated in turtles by injecting or oral administration.
Shell infections are caused by a turtle living in a crowded tank or spending too much time in dirty waters. Through wounds or weak spots in the shell, bacteria, fungi and parasites can enter the turtle’s skin. Shell infections can cause loss of appetite, difficulty breathing and reddish skin.
Treatment of turtle shell infections involves antibiotics to kill bacteria and antifungal medication to kill fungi.
Breeding
A turtle cannot breed until it has reached sexual maturity. At 3-5 years, the male African sideneck turtle becomes sexually mature. When she is between 5-7 and 6-7 years old, the female African sideneck turtle can begin to breed.
To start the breeding process, cool African sideneck turtles at 60 degrees Fahrenheit for eight weeks. To stimulate egg production, feed the turtles calcium- and vitamin D-rich food.
A sandy, loose soil area is the ideal habitat for African sideneck turtles. Aggressive fighting can result from having too many males in one place. You can balance the male/female ratio by having one male for every two females, while still maintaining a peaceful environment.
The mating process will be initiated by the male biting the neck of the female. As they copulate, the mating pair will keep their tails together and form a yin/yang shape. The soil will be covered with sand by the female, which will then deposit 8-12 eggs.
Healthy hatchlings can be achieved by incubating eggs at a constant temperature of 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit, and at humidity levels between 30-70%. The eggs should be ready to hatch within 45-60 days.
In the first year of life, African sideneck turtle hatchlings can be prey to predators. The hatchlings spend several days in their shells before they emerge. You can feed the hatchlings vegetables and fruits, as well as a shallow water source until they reach adulthood.
How to Choose and Buy an African Sideneck Turtle
The cost of African sideneck turtles is between $50 and $100. These turtles can be found in pet shops, but they are also available online. Reputable breeders may ship healthy turtles.
The US government has banned the trading of pet turtles with shorter shells than 4 inches. This is because they carry Salmonella. Be aware of signs such as lethargy and flakiness on the shells, breathing difficulties, and cloudy eyes. Some African sideneck turtles can carry parasites and fungus that can be harmful to other pets.
