Marsh Terrapin (Pelomedusa subrufa)

The Marsh Terrapin (Pelomedusa subrufa) is a common and widespread species throughout much of Sub-Saharan Africa and being semi-aquatic are normally encountered at any stagnant or seasonal water pools found while on safari. After heavy rain storms, it’s not unusual to find these terrapins walking large distances, presumably in search of improved and more permanent waterholes. Should they not be successful in finding new and more suitable environments however, Terrapins are also able to enter into a state of either Hibernation during cooler weather when food availability is generally short, or Aestivation in response to high temperatures and/or dry arid conditions. Many of you, who are reading this may have seen the ‘turtle’ and not be familiar with the term Terrapin… Without getting too technical and very generally speaking, the main differences between a Terrapin, a Turtle and a Tortoise are the habitats in which they live and are adapted to. A Terrapin is semi-aquatic and spends it’s time either basking or swimming in fresh water. It also has partially webbed feet with sharp nails. A Turtle is mostly aquatic, except for when it leaves the ocean to lay its eggs. It lives in salt water and has large flippers. A Tortoise lives on the land, though species such as the Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis) that is found in Eastern & Southern Africa are occasionally found wading in shallow pools while drinking. Tortoises also lack webbed feet or flippers, but rather, have thick stumpy feet with toe-nails.