Okavango mud turtle
| Okavango mud turtle | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Testudines |
| Suborder: | Pleurodira |
| Family: | Pelomedusidae |
| Genus: | Pelusios |
| Species: | P. bechuanicus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pelusios bechuanicus | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
The Okavango mud turtle or Okavango terrapin
Distribution
Found in central Africa, central Angola, northeastern Namibia, northern Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia[4]
Description
The Okavango mud turtle is the largest species of the genus Pelusios. The carapace 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]
Biology
The turtle is observed most often in clear, deep, calm waters, in rivers, and in vegetation-choked swamps.
References
- ^ a b c Rhodin et al. 2011, p. 000.215
- ^ a b Fritz & Havaš 2007, p. 346
- .
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8018-8496-2.
Bibliography
- Rhodin, Anders G.J.; van Dijk, Peter Paul; Iverson, John B.; Shaffer, H. Bradley; Roger, Bour (2011-12-31). "Turtles of the world, 2011 update: Annotated checklist of taxonomy, synonymy, distribution and conservation status" (PDF). Chelonian Research Monographs. 6. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-01-31.
- Fritz, Uwe; Havaš, Peter (2007-10-31). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2011-05-01. Retrieved 2010-12-29.
