A small, hardy, and adaptable freshwater turtle found throughout East and southern Africa. It lives in a wide range of aquatic habitats, including slow-moving rivers, swamps, ponds, marshes, and even seasonal pools. Unlike many turtles that rely on large bodies of water, this species is incredibly versatile and can survive in environments that dry up for part of the year — making it a true survivor of the savanna and wetland ecosystems.

As its name suggests, the East African black mud turtle has a dark, almost black carapace (upper shell), which is smooth and rounded in shape. The shell may sometimes appear dark brown depending on the lighting and the age of the turtle. Its plastron (lower shell) is lighter and hinged, allowing the turtle to partially close its shell to protect itself from predators — a neat trick not all turtles can do. Its skin is usually a grayish or black tone, and its head is short with a rounded snout, giving it a somewhat gentle, curious look.

One of the most interesting traits of this turtle is its ability to survive in temporary or drying water bodies. When water sources shrink or disappear during dry seasons, the East African black mud turtle can burrow into the mud and enter a state of dormancy called aestivation, where its body slows down and it waits for rain to return. This ability makes it well suited to unpredictable environments where water is not always reliable year-round.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Botswana

1996

Burundi

1996

Cameroon

1996

Central Af. Rep.

1996

DR Congo (Kinshasa)

1996

Gambia

1996

Guadeloupe

1996

Introduced

Madagascar

1996

Mauritius

1996

Introduced

Mozambique

1996

Seychelles

1996

São Tomé & Príncipe

1996

Tanzania

1996

Zambia

1996

Zimbabwe

1996