{"product_id":"west-african-mud-turtle","title":"West African Mud Turtle","description":"\u003ch2 data-end=\"30\" data-start=\"0\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"30\" data-start=\"3\"\u003eWest African Mud Turtle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"148\" data-start=\"32\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"52\" data-start=\"32\"\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-end=\"73\" data-start=\"53\"\u003ePelusios castaneus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"76\" data-start=\"73\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"92\" data-start=\"76\"\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e West African Mud Turtle, African Side-necked Mud Turtle\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u0026lt; data-end=\"153\" data-start=\"150\"\u0026gt;\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"179\" data-start=\"155\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"179\" data-start=\"159\"\u003eSpecies Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"299\" data-start=\"180\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"189\" data-start=\"180\"\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e Males typically reach up to 9.8 inches \u003cspan\u003e(25 cm)\u003c\/span\u003e, while females grow larger up to 11 inches (28 cm).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"847\" data-start=\"301\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"316\" data-start=\"301\"\u003eAppearance:\u003c\/strong\u003e The West African Mud Turtle has a smooth, oval carapace ranging from dark brown to rich chestnut, often with subtle lighter edging along the scutes. The plastron is large, hinged, and yellow to tan with darker borders. The head is robust and typically grey or brown with lighter speckling, while the limbs are thick and heavily scaled. As a side-necked species, it folds its neck sideways beneath the shell rather than retracting it straight back. Females will have flat plastrons, while the males will have a deep, very concave plastron and longer, thicker tails.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"992\" data-start=\"849\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"866\" data-start=\"849\"\u003eDistribution:\u003c\/strong\u003e Widespread across West and Central Africa, including Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Cameroon, and surrounding regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1338\" data-start=\"994\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1006\" data-start=\"994\"\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e In the wild, this species occupies shallow lakes, marshes, swamps, slow-moving rivers, rice paddies, and seasonally flooded wetlands. It tolerates varying water depths and thrives in warm, vegetated environments. In captivity, they require a warm aquatic enclosure with moderate depth, stable basking access, and strong filtration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1629\" data-start=\"1340\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1354\" data-start=\"1340\"\u003eBehaviour:\u003c\/strong\u003e West African Mud Turtles are diurnal, bold, and active. They are strong swimmers but also walk along the bottom and rest in shallow areas. They bask frequently and quickly learn feeding schedules. This species is hardy and adaptable, often becoming interactive with keepers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u0026lt; data-end=\"1634\" data-start=\"1631\"\u0026gt;\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1656\" data-start=\"1636\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1656\" data-start=\"1640\"\u003eCaptive Care\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2060\" data-start=\"1657\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1671\" data-start=\"1657\"\u003eEnclosure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provide an aquatic enclosure with a minimum footprint of 48 × 24 inches (120 × 60 cm) for an adult female; males may be housed in slightly smaller enclosures, though larger is always beneficial. Offer moderate to deep water, strong basking platforms, submerged driftwood, hides, rocks, and aquatic plants to create visual cover. Filtration must be robust due to their high activity level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2227\" data-start=\"2062\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2091\" data-start=\"2062\"\u003eTemperature and Humidity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"2094\" data-start=\"2091\"\u003eWater temperature: 78 to 82°F (26 to 28°C)\u003cbr data-end=\"2139\" data-start=\"2136\"\u003eBasking area: 92 to 96°F (33 to 36°C)\u003cbr data-end=\"2179\" data-start=\"2176\"\u003eAmbient air temperature: 80 to 86°F (27 to 30°C)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2412\" data-start=\"2229\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2242\" data-start=\"2229\"\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provide full-spectrum lighting with \u003cstrong data-end=\"2293\" data-start=\"2279\"\u003e10–12% UVB\u003c\/strong\u003e to support shell strength and healthy metabolism. Ensure the basking platform remains fully dry and easily accessible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2696\" data-start=\"2414\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2423\" data-start=\"2414\"\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Offer a varied omnivorous diet including insects, earthworms, snails, crustaceans, fish, high-quality aquatic turtle pellets, leafy greens, vegetables, and aquatic plants. Juveniles require higher protein intake, while adults benefit from a balanced plant-to-animal ratio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2934\" data-start=\"2698\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2725\" data-start=\"2698\"\u003eBehaviour in Captivity:\u003c\/strong\u003e These turtles are hardy, personable, and often bold feeders. They enjoy swimming, exploring, and basking. They adapt quickly to captive conditions when provided warm, clean water and environmental enrichment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u0026lt; data-end=\"2939\" data-start=\"2936\"\u0026gt;\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"2971\" data-start=\"2941\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2971\" data-start=\"2945\"\u003eSpecial Considerations\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3233\" data-start=\"2972\"\u003e• Strong filtration is essential, as this species produces substantial waste.\u003cbr data-end=\"3052\" data-start=\"3049\"\u003e• Provide both deep water for swimming and shallow resting areas.\u003cbr data-end=\"3120\" data-start=\"3117\"\u003e• Highly food-motivated—avoid overfeeding.\u003cbr data-end=\"3165\" data-start=\"3162\"\u003e• Females require significantly more space due to larger adult size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u0026lt; data-end=\"3238\" data-start=\"3235\"\u0026gt;\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"3261\" data-start=\"3240\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3261\" data-start=\"3244\"\u003eTaxonomy Note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3492\" data-start=\"3262\"\u003e\u003cem data-end=\"3282\" data-start=\"3262\"\u003ePelusios castaneus\u003c\/em\u003e is part of the African side-necked turtle family (Pelomedusidae). It is one of the most widespread and adaptable species within the genus \u003cem data-end=\"3431\" data-start=\"3421\"\u003ePelusios\u003c\/em\u003e, leading to considerable natural variation across its range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u0026lt; data-end=\"3497\" data-start=\"3494\"\u0026gt;\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"3520\" data-start=\"3499\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3520\" data-start=\"3503\"\u003eGenetics Note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3708\" data-start=\"3521\"\u003eThere are no recognised morphs for the West African Mud Turtle. Variations in shell tone, head speckling, and plastron pattern are natural differences between individuals and populations.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tails and Scales","offers":[{"title":"Adult Male","offer_id":56196239917378,"sku":"wki1789651417462","price":178.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1010\/8380\/8066\/files\/west-african-mud-turtle_1.jpg?v=1789651423","url":"https:\/\/abrasionresistclad.shop\/products\/west-african-mud-turtle","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}