Serrated Hinged Terrapin

Afrikaans name: Skulprand-skarnierwaterskilpad

Serrated Hinged Terrapin

Photo © Steven Herbert

Pelusios sinuatus

The Serrated Hinged Terrapin is called the East Africa Serrated Mud Turtle further up Africa. It is found from northern KwaZulu-Natal to East Africa.

It can grow to a size of over 50 cm with females being a big bigger than males. Males have a longer tail. When threatened by a predator they give off a foul odour.

The Serrated Hinged Terrapin eats a variety of food including freshwater mussels and snails, ticks, frogs and they have also been known to feed off animal carcasses. They are preyed upon by Nile Crocodiles.

Females lay up to 25 or so eggs in a hole within a few hundred metres of the water.

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References and further reading

A Guide to the Reptiles of Southern Africa - Author: Graham Alexander and Johan Marais - Year Published: 2007 - Page: 363

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 116

Bill Branch's Field Guide to the Snakes and Other Reptiles of Southern Africa - Author: Bill Branch - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 40

Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 407

Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 407

Reptiles & Amphibians of Southern Africa - Author: Warren Schmidt - Year Published: 2006 - Page: 84

Reptiles of Southern Africa - Author: Rod Patterson and Anothony Bannister - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 17

The Reptiles of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. de V. Pienaar, WD Haacke and NHG Jacobsen - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 28

Tortoises, Terrapins & Turtles of Africa - Author: Bill Branch - Year Published: 2008 - Page: 100

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 254