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The African helmeted turtle, also known as the Marsh Terrapin,
is typically a rather small turtle with most individuals being less
than 20 cm in carapace length, but one has been recorded with a
carapace length of 32.5 cm. it has an olive-green or brown carapace
(shell). The tops of the tail and limbs are a grayish brown, while the
underside is yellowish. The male turtle is distinguished by its long,
thick tail. Females tend to have a shorter tail and a broader carapace.
Hatchlings have a shell size of about 1 and 1/4 inches in length, and
are olive to black in color. It also has two small tubercles under the
chin and musk glands in the sides of the carapace. The African helmeted
turtle doesn't have a hinged plastron (lower shell). All the other
species in the family Pelomedusidae however have this feature which
they can, using muscles, close to cover their head and front limbs. |
