Nile Softshell Turtle
Trionyx triunguis (Forskal, 1775)
Range: Eastern, Western, and Central Africa, Southwest Asia
Habitat: Freshwater and brackish permanent bodies of water. Tolerant of seawater for periods of time
Diet: Small Fish, Crustaceans, Carrion, Fruits, Leaves. Will opportunistically eat small mammals, smaller turtles
Social Grouping: Solitary, Loose Groups
Reproduction: Nesting occurs March-July (depends on location). Female lays 25-100 eggs per season, with nest holes dug in earthen sandbanks. Incubation period 60-80 days. Hatchling sex determined genetically, not by incubation temperature. Hatchlings are about 4.5 centimeters long and weigh 10-12 grams
Lifespan: Up to 50 Years
- One of the largest softshell turtles, shell length 85-95 centimeters, with a maximum (unconfirmed) length of 120 centimeters. Weigh up to 40 kilograms
- Skin and carapace are brown/olive green in color, covered with white spots, which in turn sometimes have yellow rings around them. Plastron is white
- Shell is covered with thick, leathery skin. Skin around mouth is especially thick. Nose is upturned and snorkel-like. Males differ from females in having longer, thicker tails
- Seldom leave the water, even preferring to bask in shallow water rather than on shore
- Capable of staying underwater longer than many turtles due to their ability to extract some oxygen from the water through their skin
- In decline due to loss of habitat (especially due to irrigation, damming, and pollution from oil spills), destruction/disturbance of nest sites, and accidental death due to fishing activities (i.e, getting caught in shrimp nets). Some hunting for meat and for shells. Fishermen may also kill them as perceived competitors
- Populations along the Mediterranean coast are considered to be especially in decline. Turtles in this region may nest alongside sea turtles and benefit from protection for those species
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