African Softshell Turtle (Reptiles of the WAP complex)

African Softshell Turtle

Trionyx triunguis

Summary ⁵

The African softshell turtle or Nile softshell turtle, Trionyx triunguis, is a large species of turtle from fresh-water and brackish habitats in Africa (larger parts of East, West and Middle Africa) and the Near East (Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey). It is the only extant species from the genus Trionyx, but in the past many other softshell turtles were placed in this genus; they have now been moved to various other genera. Despite the name "African...

Description ⁶

A fairly large turtle; the largest Egyptian specimen being 700 mm in carapace length. Carapace and plastron leathery, without horny plates; carapace depressed, almost circular, covered with numerous longitudinal rows of small tubercles; posterior edge forming a large flap over the hind limbs and tail. Plastron smooth. Neck long; head small, snout elongate tubular terminating with the nostrils. Three strong, sharp, claws on all limbs, with webbing between digits. Color of carapace and dorsal sides of limbs and head olive or olive-brown, with numerous small whitish spots. Ventral sides yellowish white.