African Mud Turtle | Oceanarium, the Bournemouth Aquarium

The West African mud turtle is a medium sized, aquatic turtle. Extremely adaptable, they appear in many fresh water habitats such as mud holes, swamps, rivers and ponds. During drought season, the turtles will aestivate (sleep) into the ground to wait out until the wet season. They are often found in large numbers basking along muddy banks and are ravenous feeders.

280 freshwater turtle species are found around the world, over one third are at risk of extinction. These turtles are threatened through hunting for meat, the pet trade and habitat loss. They are found in shallow water through Western and Central Africa. Hunts actively for fish and molluscs.

Conservation status

Extinct

Extinct in the wild

Critically endangered

Endangered

Vulnerable

Near threatened

Least concern

Insufficient data

Not evaluated