The African helmeted turtle, Pelomedusa subrufa, is a small omnivorous side-necked turtle of the family Pelomedusidae, found across much of Sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar and southern Yemen. It typically measures 15 to 21 centimeters in carapace length, with a black or brown shell, grayish-brown tail and feet, and a yellowish plastron, and unlike most other Pelomedusidae it lacks a hinged plastron, instead righting itself when flipped with a vigorous flick of its long muscular neck, an ability uncommon among turtles. It favors standing water such as swamps, pans, dams and lakes over flowing rivers, avoiding mountainous, forested and desert country.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to People Scientific Name Conservation Status Comparison
CITES Appendix Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Wikidata: African Helmeted Turtle
In Biome
Source Wikipedia: African helmeted turtle
Lake, Biomes Source Wikipedia: African helmeted turtle
River, Biomes Source Wikipedia: African helmeted turtle
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: African helmeted turtle
diet-classification (MediaWiki batch-API article extract states it plainly)
The African helmeted turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa), also commonly known 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.
human-interaction (MediaWiki batch-API article extract states it plainly)
The African helmeted turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa), also commonly known 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.
system (MediaWiki batch-API article extract states it plainly)
The African helmeted turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa), also commonly known 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.
Infobox: status
LC
In Biome: Freshwater Marsh, Habitat
P. subrufa is a semiaquatic animal, living in rivers, lakes, and marshes, and it also occupies rain pools and fertilized places.
In Biome: Lake, Habitat
P. subrufa is a semiaquatic animal, living in rivers, lakes, and marshes, and it also occupies rain pools and fertilized places.
In Biome: River, Habitat
P. subrufa is a semiaquatic animal, living in rivers, lakes, and marshes, and it also occupies rain pools and fertilized places.
View the Source2. UNEP-WCMC Species+ database (CITES Secretariat): Species+: Pelomedusa subrufa
UNEP-WCMC Species+ database (CITES Secretariat)Species+ taxon_concepts, id 10751Quote, Species+ taxon_concepts, id 10751
"rank":"SPECIES","name_status":"A","updated_at":"2025-06-25T09:21:09.697Z","active":true,"cites_listing":"NC"
3. Wikipedia: African helmeted turtle
Wikidata: African Helmeted Turtle
- Wikidata Q913795, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
- Child Taxon Of: Pelomedusidae, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
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