Species ID please

[lvstorts]

All,
Can someone ID this turtle for me? I'm not very versed in water turtles and have been asked to help another rescue out. Figured I needed to know what I was dealing with prior to being any help!


Thanks in advance!

 

[sissyofone]

Maybe @ diamondbp can help . Or @ Yvonne. In identifying this type of turtle. If i guessed and i have no clue id say its some type of mud turtle. But thats just a guess. Good luck.

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

Whew, he's got some poof pockets!
The shell just doesn't look right to be a mud turtle, I don't think it's domed enough. Maybe @Anthony P has something

 

[HLogic]

My guess is Pelusios subniger

 

[Yvonne G]

I couldn't see if the head pulls in to the side, but I was going to guess that too, Art.

 

[lvstorts]

I couldn't see if the head pulls in to the side, but I was going to guess that too, Art.

I was able to verify the neck/head folds vs. going direct into the shell. Sorry I'm not able to get better pictures at this time. Still the same thought or am I looking at a different species?

Thanks for the input!

 

[diamondbp]

I was going to suggest an African Mud turtle of some type. I'm not an expert on the African species but it surely looks like an eastern African mud turtle

 

[Anthony P]

Pelusios are probably my biggest area of ignorance with IDing turtles. If I want to make excuses for myself, haha, this is probably due to the fact that Pelusios were recently broken into so many different taxon, based mostly on genetics, not morphology. That makes it very difficult to make a call like this, especially on a large, older adult turtle, who may have had shell discoloration over the years.

All of that being said, I think the safer bet is one of the more commonly imported species, like Pelusios castaneus, the West African Mud Turtle.

Either way, it is 100% Peluisios, so it is an African Mud Turtle, and should be treated as any other Pelusios would, husbandry-wise.

 

[lvstorts]

Thank you everyone for your imput! I really appreciate it. I'll be picking up the turtle this weekend because I'm better equipped to house him temporarily than where he is now.

If anyone could direct me to a good care sheet I would appreciate it! I have the basics but the more info the better!

Additionally, if anyone is interested in him I will be placing him up for adoption when he's ready. If you are interested let me know and I'll put you on the 'first call' list.

Thanks again!