African softshell turtle

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African softshell turtle
African softshell turtle (Trionyx triunguis)

African softshell turtle ( Trionyx triunguis )

Systematics
without rank: Sauropsida
Order : Turtles (Testudinata)
Subordination : Halsberger tortoises (Cryptodira)
Family : Softshell turtles (Trionychidae)
Subfamily : Common softshell turtles (Trionychina)
Type : African softshell turtle
Scientific name
Trionyx triunguis
( Forskål , 1775)

The African softshell turtle ( Trionyx triunguis ), also known as the Nile softshell turtle , is a species of softshell turtle native to Africa and Southwest Asia .

features

The African softshell turtle is a large species of softshell turtle. The back armor length (height) can be over 80 cm. The longest individual found had a back armor length of 108 cm. However, specimens in the eastern Mediterranean usually remain smaller than the African specimens. The color is olive or olive brown on the back armor, the tops of the legs and the head, with numerous small white spots. The belly armor is whitish to gray or dirty pink. The young animals have intense yellowish dots or spots on an olive background, which largely fades in older animals. The weight can be up to 40 kg.

distribution

In the eastern Mediterranean, the species lives from southwest Turkey via Syria and Lebanon to Israel . Once a specimen was found in Europe, off the Greek island of Kos in Greek territorial waters, but the species is sometimes found as bycatch in fishing nets.

In Africa, the species colonizes numerous countries, with the exception of Northwest Africa and South to Southeast Africa. However, the distribution area is not too large, as certain river systems and coastal areas are mainly populated. Its area includes the following countries in Northeast Africa: Egypt , Sudan , Eritrea , Ethiopia , southern Somalia , Kenya , Uganda , South Sudan ; in Central to South West Africa the countries Central African Republic , Cameroon , Democratic Republic of the Congo , Cameroon, Gabon , Republic of the Congo , Chad , Angola , as well as the north of Namibia and in West Africa the countries Mali , Niger , Mauritania , as well as all countries along the coast between Mauritania and Cameroon.

The German common name Nile softshell turtle refers to its occurrence in the Nile .

habitat

Mainly in fresh water, but also in brackish water and even in the open sea. Lower reaches of the rivers and their estuaries near the mouth are populated, as well as canals, lakes and lagoons. Sandy bank areas are required for laying eggs.

An African softshell turtle in the water

nutrition

The African softshell turtle is omnivorous and feeds on fish, crustaceans, worms, snails, carrion, but also on leaves and fruits.

Way of life

The species is largely aquatic. In the sea it dives to depths of over 50 m. The pairings take place in spring, the eggs are laid from May to August. Safe sandbanks and dunes up to 30 m away from the shore are sought out to lay eggs. The eggs are almost spherical, white, hard-shelled and have a diameter of about 3.5 cm. The young usually hatch in August and September. The African softshell turtle is very shy. These types of enemies include foxes, weasels and stray dogs, which can plunder a large part of the clutch.

Danger

The few still demonstrable Mediterranean occurrences are highly endangered relic populations that are threatened by water pollution, boat traffic, fishing, hunting, habitat loss and tourism. The species is less endangered in Africa. The IUCN lists the species as vulnerable (endangered), with a decreasing population trend.

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Trionyx triunguis in The Reptile Database . Edited by: P. Uetz, P. Freed & J. Hošek, 1995–2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  2. ↑ Dieter Glandt: The amphibians and reptiles of Europe: All kinds in portrait. 2nd, updated and expanded edition. Quelle & Meyer, Wiebelsheim 2015, ISBN 978-3-494-01581-1 , p. 300.
  3. ↑ Trionyx triunguis in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2017. Posted by: PP van Dijk, T. Diagne, L. Luiselli, PJ Baker, O. & E. Turkozan Taskavak, 2016. Accessed August 13, 2020th

literature

  • Dieter Glandt: The amphibians and reptiles of Europe: All kinds in portrait. 2nd, updated and expanded edition. Quelle & Meyer, Wiebelsheim 2015, ISBN 978-3-494-01581-1 , p. 300.

Web links