African Sideneck Turtle Care

African Sideneck

(Pelomedusa subrufa)

The African Side-Neck Turtle is a semi-aquatic freshwater turtle native to sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Madagascar. They get their name from their unique defense behavior: instead of retracting straight back into their shell, they tuck their head sideways under the edge. Adults typically grow 8–12 inches long and are hardy, curious turtles that thrive in properly set-up enclosures.

Lifespan:

20-30 years in captivity with proper care

Sexing:

• Males are generally smaller with longer, thicker tails, while females are larger-bodied with shorter tails.

Enclosure:

• Minimum Size: A single adult should be housed in a 75–120 gallon aquarium or larger. Provide a strong canister filter to keep the water clean, as sliders are messy eaters.

• Basking platform large enough for the turtle to completely dry off

• Smooth, safe surfaces to prevent shell or skin injury

Substrate:

Basking platform only; use a slate rock or other hard surface

Lighting & Temperature:

• Basking Spot: 88–95°F

• Ambient Water Temp: 74–78°F (Adults), 78–82°F (Juveniles)

• Provide a UVB bulb (10.0 T5 HO or similar)

Humidity:

Humidity is not a primary concern, but ambient air around the basking area should not be too dry. Avoid keeping aquatic turtles in open, dry environments for extended periods when they are out of water.

Food:

African Side-Neck Turtles are omnivores. Feed a varied diet of:

• High-quality aquatic turtle pellets (staple diet)

• Insects, earthworms, and occasional feeder fish for protein

• Fresh leafy greens and aquatic plants

• Occasional fruits as treats

Water:

Perform partial water changes weekly (25-50%) to provide clean water. Maintain a pH around 6.5-8.0and ensure chlorine/chloramine is removed from tap water

With their quirky sideways head tuck, engaging personalities, and long lifespan, African Side-Neck Turtles make rewarding pets for keepers ready to commit to their aquatic care needs.