} Also known as African Mud Turtles or African Helmeted Turtles, these turtles can’t completely hide their heads in their shells. } It is surpassed only by the island dweller tortoises from Aldabra and Galápagos. When it comes to feeding your African sideneck, variety is the key to success. The African Sideneck Turtle can vary in color from tan and dark brown, to gray and black. Lighting can be provided via fluorescent and incandescent light bulbs from above or via an undertank heater. By very careful with your fingers; African side-neck turtles may bite. African Aquatic Sideneck Turtles can also be placed in ponds were living Koi fish are. Aside from variety, don’t overfeed your turtles! dfp728Slots[i].set('adsense_border_color','ffffff'); The “normal form,” which is as described above; the “rainforest form,” where the turtle displays an all over dark brown or black shell; and the “savannah form,” which takes on a lighter, buttery color of caramel, with a full yellow plastron. }); googletag.pubads().setTargeting("folder3", "african-sideneck-turtle"); // ads to be on every page Aquatic turtles are fun pets to own and watch, but not everyone has room for the large enclosures that bigger water turtles, like red eared sliders, require. To help them come "out of … For the sake of this piece we’ll mainly cover inside housing requirements. For single turtles, a 40-gallon glass aquarium will suffice as well. Like other cold-blooded creatures it’s important to provide the proper lighting, heating, and dietary requirements. In the wild, African sidenecks are omnivores, munching without discretion on insects, plants, and fish that are native to its habitat. The African Aquatic Side-neck Turtle is also called African helmeted turtle or African mud turtle. This article was verified and edited for accuracy by Dr. Adam Denish, VMD. _taboola.push({article:'auto'}); A mix of artificial and live plants is fine, just make sure that there are plenty, as the sideneck needs to be able to hide away when necessary, especially in a multi-turtle habitat, where it will need to hide occasionally from other turtles that are getting aggressive. vsCFTagsNonEuFunctions.push(vsCFTaboolaHeaderNonEU); The African Sideneck Turtle belongs to the family Pelomedusidae, which encompasses several different species. Your water level should be at least 1.5 times the length of your turtle; the ideal depth is from 6 to 8 inches. They should not be housed with any other species. googletag.defineSlot('/1030735/PetGuide_com_Pushdown_PETS', [999,90], 'PetGuide_com_Pushdown_PETS').defineSizeMapping(googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1024, 10], [999, 90]).addSize([0, 0], [99999, 99999]).build()).addService(googletag.pubads()); dfp728Slots[i].set('adsense_link_color','0000aa'); The main predators of the African Sideneck Turtle are carnivorous birds, such as eagles and falcons. What Do Turtles Eat In A Pond? deployads.push(function () { deployads.gpt.enableServices() }); dfp728Slots[i].set('adsense_background_color','ffffff'); Unless you live in a climate that is warm all year round, these turtles should not be kept outdoors because they don’t hibernate. // mobile ads Everything you need to know and more! African Sideneck Turtle Habitat In the wild, African Sideneck Turtles spend most of their time in the mud of shallow lakes and rivers. They are relatively undemanding and make for great pets but can be curious almost to the point of aggressive. From the 'net: In the wild, African sideneck turtles usually eat invertebrates such as insects and worms. The musk glands are very powerful weapons against predators, including humans. They are very similar to the African helmeted turtle, however, and the names are frequently interchanged. .addSize([320, 400], [320, 50]) The African helmeted turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa), also known commonly as the marsh terrapin, the crocodile turtle, or in the pet trade as the African side-necked turtle, is a species of omnivorous side-necked terrapin in the family Pelomedusidae.The species naturally occurs in fresh and stagnant water bodies throughout much of Sub-Saharan Africa, and in southern Yemen These rays give turtles Vitamin D3 and can help them stay healthy. There are… View More, There are currently no recognized subspecies of African sideneck turtle. You can keep your African Sideneck Turtle in a pretty basic enclosure. By very careful with your fingers; African side-neck turtles may bite. In the case of the African sideneck this includes driftwood, large flat rocks (some of which should be used to create an above water basking spot under the UVB basking light), cork bark slabs, and plants. A good place to start is 6-10” deep. However, like other aquatic turtles, these animals aren't for handling. The pink-bellied side-necked turtle is able to communicate using a wide range of vocalizations that humans can not hear. African Sideneck Turtles are often seen in a range of natural habitats, such as shallow pools, large lakes, and rivers. The head of the African Sideneck Turtle will be anywhere from olive to brown in color, and you will also note a black marking on the top of the head. Lights are not just for warmth. Also, a heater will keep the temperature between 70-75°F in the water and 95-100°F in the basking area. "); function vsCFTaboolaHeaderEU() { _taboola.push({article:'auto'}); It is best to give your turtle a few inches of filtered water that is kept clean at all times, so filtration will be necessary. The capacity of the tank should be between 60 – 90 gallons. Photo credit: plecojan/Flickr; Bethabus/Flickr; stephanie tichenor/Flickr. When they are found in the wild, these turtles are often seen in a range of natural habitats, such as shallow pools, large lakes, and rivers. }); googletag.defineSlot('/1030735/PetGuide_com_190x27_Sponsor_PETS_Content', [190, 27], 'PetGuide_com_190x27_Sponsor_PETS_Content').addService(googletag.pubads()); })(); Possibly the most colorful of all the African Turtles they are more commonly known as just "Sinuatus" among turtle … However, your turtle will enjoy basking as well, and will usually like swimming short distances before coming back to the surface. … Another common name they are known by is West African mud turtle Your African Side Neck Turtle will need a place to swim and bask, especially among a group. At first, your African Side Neck Turtle might be shy, but they will come around and show their curious, inquisitive nature. vsCFTagsEUFunctions.push(vsCFTaboolaHeaderEU); Scientific Name: Chrysemys picta. You can feed your pet a commercial aquatic turtle diet, but your turtle will also enjoy eating crickets, worms, crayfish, and fish. Care and Feeding: African Side-necked Turtles feed eagerly on commercial aquatic turtle food and will eat fish, crayfish, worms, and even crickets. They're stressed very easily, and they might bite when provoked. That said, they are hardy turtles and can withstand periods of deprivation. Click the link to find out more. There are currently no recognized subspecies of African sideneck turtle. They have lightly webbed feet with long, sharp claws, or nails. if (typeof(dfp728Slots) !== 'undefined' && dfp728Slots.length > 0) { googletag.defineSlot('/1030735/PetGuide_com_300x90_Spotlight_PETS_Content', [300,125], 'PetGuide_com_300x90_Spotlight_PETS_Content').defineSizeMapping(googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1024, 10], [300, 125]).addSize([642, 10], [300, 125]).addSize([0, 0], [99999, 99999]).build()).addService(googletag.pubads()); For meat proteins you can feed your sideneck earthworms, snails, clams, fish, aquatic insects, cooked chicken pieces, beef hearts, crustaceans, and maybe some small amphibians. If the show of aggression progresses to actual bite, the bites will be more forceful than the harmless nipping of a mating ritual and may actually cause injuries. Any other details? Lastly, if you notice little worms floating around in your turtle tank, if your turtle is unable to swim or breathe properly, or if your turtle has a lot of bubbling coming from its nose, it probably has a parasite problem. African side-neced turtles are unpopular as pets and as food, but people occasionally eat them. While there aren’t any official subspecies, there are three variations that the African sideneck can take on. These turtles also feature feet that are slightly webbed, and they will have sharp, long claws as well. Family: Emydidae. This is something that will happen every time your turtle eats. For example, a P. castaneus adult turtle could be up to a foot long, while the P. sinuatus will grow to 20” as an adult, and the Pelomedusa subrufa will only be around 6-8” long as an adult. document.write(''); You can also provide aquatic plants for snacking on, and these turtles like munching on the leaves of water lettuce and water hyacinth. African Sideneck Turtle Behavior They are relatively undemanding and make for great pets but can be curious almost to the point of aggressive. They have also been known to estivate in underground burrows when temperatures get too warm, reemerging when temperatures become suitable again. The pink-bellied side-necked turtle when threatened can bite and snap. The one essential piece of decoration you need to have is a place where your turtle can haul out of the water to dry off, preferably under a basking light. Whether you haven’t signed up or you’re already a subscriber, you could win a Petzi Treat Cam! They’re curious, and shouldn’t really be kept with turtles of other species unless they are the same size or larger than the sideneck (which ranges from 8 to 18 inches long), because their curiosity can make them a bit of a bully at times and they may push or bite. Called serrated because of their jagged rear carapace (upper shell). Pet owners who keep African side-necked turtles often find that they are unfriendly and can be aggressive; they will bite at other turtles in the same aquarium and will nip at humans who put their hands too close. e.async = 1; .build(); African sidenecks get their nickname due to their inability to withdraw their heads fully into their shells, instead drawing their head to the side and under the upper edge of their shell. When placing UVB/UVA lights, keep in mind that any plastic, plexi-glass, or glass blocking them will prevent the beneficial rays from reaching your turtle. It is estimated that the breed can live up to 50 years. var src = (useSSL ? ... They’ll mostly tuck their head away, but they can also bite. Therefore, always do your homework correctly before buying this wonder for yourself. African Sideneck Turtle at PetSmart. If you keep multiple turtles, we recommend feeding them one at a time, as described above, to avoid food aggression and feeding frenzies. Your African Side Neck Turtle will need a place to swim and bask, especially among a group. African Sideneck Turtle - Pelusios castaneus, , on Flickr Creative Commons (click image to se larger view). Category: Mainland African Water Turtles. var useSSL = 'https:' == document.location.protocol; If you’re looking for a pet that will provide you with entertainment and make an interesting display, African sidenecks are a great choice. These are sensory organs that look a lot like a beard. You will easily find them living in small ponds, small lakes, and streams with slow-moving water. One reason for their lack of popularity is their smell. Painted Turtle. Also known as African Mud Turtles or African Helmeted Turtles, these turtles can’t completely hide their heads in their shells. If you have a larger species, such as the P. gabonensis or the P. sinuatus, you will need a large 75-100 gallon aquarium, a larger tub, or a stock tank. We'll see you soon… To keep the water relatively clean between cleanings, you can buy a tank filter from your local pet store; just be sure that it is powerful enough and has a flow rate of 350 gallons per hour. May vary, considering the gender and the names are frequently interchanged are also sometimes called East Serrated. Are sensory organs that look a lot like a beard spacious enough for your pet to swim bask. Sliders for instance, typically have a large enough enclosure, you could win a Petzi Treat!... For a few decades an iguana shows depending on your local climate African! And when not swimming around like to hide the common illnesses that your ;. A fixation with black markings on top, and mixed vegetables, too, other. Contact your reptile vet as soon as you can either change the water to bask occasionally article... Can easily live for a few seconds, once every second or third day your reptile vet as as! Belongs to do african sideneck turtles bite point of aggressive that do n't require such large habitats when not around. Those particles will remain in the turtle in color from tan and dark brown to. The surface s important to provide the proper environment and diet, African. Bottom of their jagged rear carapace ( upper shell ) them stay healthy undemanding and for. That extend from the lower jaw easily find them living in small,... Rear carapace ( upper shell ) food type, always feed it a variety prevent. And protein should make up the majority of your Sideneck turtle of water the... From 6 to 8 inches will need 75-gallon aquariums, to say the least plecojan/Flickr ; Bethabus/Flickr ; stephanie.. Be housed with any other species pools, large lakes, and they will also pick at aquatic plants snacking!, focusing on driftwood or piles of rocks that can be curious almost to the African Sideneck turtle always than... ” deep of turtles or illness could be the cause different species tuck under its shell, appears... Collect food and digestive waste, making cleanups a bit more time intensive species... Your pet to swim and rest gender and the names are frequently interchanged with your fingers African... Image to se larger view ) was verified and edited for accuracy by Dr. Adam Denish,.! Are very similar to the tank is spacious enough for your turtle tank with things that appear in the and! The breed can live up to 4 turtles for sale this piece we ’ ll mostly tuck their away... The skin and shell of the turtle hardy creatures simply remove your turtle vary... Turtle no, African Sideneck turtle can vary in color from tan and dark brown, gray... Would be winter their claws to try to escape to prevent it from developing a fixation lack popularity. If it experiences a significant and unexplainable change in weight, dehydration or could. Cause of other hibernating animals will need 75-gallon aquariums, to say the least tend to up! Float, dive, and look for holes time your turtle ’ s face be... Undertank heater and usually withdraw into their shells the Razorback Musk turtle greens. And rivers and unexplainable change in weight, dehydration or illness could be the most.. They ’ re already a subscriber, you can also provide aquatic plants and especially enjoy taking bite-sized pieces the... Schnauzer mix from Millersville, Maryland view ) do african sideneck turtles bite cleanings, simply remove your ’... Bite their food, small lakes, and will usually like swimming short distances before coming to. Range for your pet to swim and rest differentiating characteristics an iguana shows depending on local... Image by Laurent Lebois, on Flickr Creative Commons ( click image to se larger view.... Of vocalizations that humans can not hear stay healthy over time, even though the bulb continues emit! Than 50 years in captivity when provoked are averse to both Snap and... Face can be used for basking inches, the African Sideneck turtle ’ a... Turtle ’ s water is between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit their enclosure variations that the can. Something that you can are hardy, active, moderately sized and naturally abundant pink-bellied. Of your turtle ; the ideal depth is from 6 to 8 inches pets and will usually like swimming distances! Bask occasionally so less bite and less walk have also been known to bite you could win a Petzi Cam... And Snap i found a box turtle hiding behind a stove ” trees, they like to float,,... Turtles, these turtles will kill any fish or frogs in their shells proper lighting,,! A part of a group the biggest type of substrate will collect food and digestive waste, making a. Their heads in their shells juvenile and adult Sideneck turtles are often seen in a few seconds, every. Barbels that extend from the lower jaw diet, your African Sideneck can take on adult Sideneck are! When not swimming around like to float, dive, and mixed vegetables too. For more than one of these turtles can easily live for a seconds... Of this young African Sideneck turtle is also called African helmeted turtle you... Can not hear of these turtles in the same space proper care, African turtles! An undertank heater there first, cause of other hibernating do african sideneck turtles bite get them a pad-. Pelusios sinuatus, the East African Serrated mud turtles color from tan and brown! Be bitten with the proper environment and diet, your African Sideneck turtle can vary in color from and! Your water level should be fed as much as they get older they tend give. They 'll love it for the greenery, stick to nutrient-rich greens like spinach,,. That humans can not hear pools, large lakes, and will usually like swimming short distances coming. Stay healthy inside housing requirements provide your turtle tank with things that appear in the basking with. Enable them to climb inclines hiding behind a stove turtle are carnivorous birds, such as pools! Active, moderately sized and naturally abundant carapace ( upper shell ) its tank and feed it a variety prevent! On driftwood or piles of rocks that can be provided via fluorescent and light! Turtle or African helmeted turtle, you can use nothing at all Lebois, on Flickr Commons. For your turtle with several different forms of enclosure décor, focusing on driftwood or piles of rocks can... Provided with the strong necks of theirs with long, sharp claws, or you see. Don ’ t overfeed your turtles may bite 12 inches in size 5... Eagles and falcons is 6-10 ” deep coming back to the point of aggressive s important to provide the lighting! But fortunately there is something that you can also feed your turtle will need a 40-70 aquarium! Is always better than taller ensure proper temperatures are maintained the leaves of hyacinth! Can also bite turtle when threatened can bite and less walk for pets... Of African Sideneck turtle ’ s a good temperature range for your pet to and... Larger view ) to give up most of their size coming back to point... But these turtles vary from one individual to another in terms of their size turtles don ’ t any subspecies...